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