Hello Sid, I was very interested in your article and as a relative new comer I would be grateful if you could advice me as to where I could get some eggs or queens in early 96. The stocks I have are agressive and a couple are from swarms. Ken Black Bay Tree Cottage, Fritwell, Bicester, Oxon OX6 9QF At 18:38 03/12/95 GMT, you wrote: >As a new arrival to the Internet I have followed recent letters on >supersedure and swarming with interest. It would appear that some >beekeepers have succeeded in producing a strain which supersedes whilst the >queen is still strong and the stock productive. In a beekeeping career >(non-commercial) which started in 1930 ( I am now wearing out ) I, like many >beginners, started with a swarm. I progressed from bees which swarmed >regularly to non-swarming strains by selective breeding. I had dreams of >bees which would regulate themselves. What I found was that in almost every >case the stock dropped below the productivity level before the bees >attempted to supersede. During experiments I allowed stocks to carry their >queens to three, four and even five years before they decided to >supersede. Some left it too late, ending up with a drone layer or the queen >dying during a non-laying period. It soon became obvious that having got >rid of swarming it was essential to requeen regularly, usually the second or >third year. Whether it is lack of luck or lack of skill I cannot persuade my >bees to look after themselves. >Many are finding swarming a problem. It certainly is, especially where >neighbours are concerned. Unfortunately too many start their beekeeping >career, for economic reasons, with a swarm and then proceed to increase with >swarm cells. Swarm queens are usually first class and it is a simple >method. Such bees are programmed to swarm annually and no matter how much >brood and super space you give them they will want to swarm. Today we are >in control and swarming, once essential for survival, is now an anachronism >but try telling the bees that. Luckily the urge to swarm varies widely and >by careful selection of mother queens it is possible to reduce swarming to a >very low level in a matter of five years. You must first find a stock which >has not swarmed in at least three years. You then have something to work >on. Alternatively go to a beekeeper for eggs or queens who has already >reached that goal. If you wish for peaceful beekeeping may I humbly suggest >to all beginners that you never, never use queens from swarm cells to stock >your hives. S H P >_________________________________________________________________ >Sid Pullinger Email : [log in to unmask] >36, Grange Rd Compuserve: [log in to unmask] >Alresford >Hants SO24 9HF >England > >