On Sat, 28 Feb 1998 14:14:13 -0600 "Excerpts from BEE-L" <[log in to unmask]> writes: >Reply-to: Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]> >From: Gordon Scott <[log in to unmask]> > >> I think we need to remember that bees in the wild don't normally >make as >> much honey as properly managed hives. At least that's what I've >been told. > >Here's something to think about. > >The primary aims of all creatures are survival and reproduction, in >bees -- >swarming. Once a colony has sufficient honey for survival, it sets out >on its >other primary aim. If we want to produce honey and avoid swarming, >it's in >*our* best interests to try and fool the bees into thinking that they >haven't >yet reached that second phase. > >IMHO, they do much of their estimating on whether thar are ready to >swarm >from the congestion levels in their 'chosen' nest -- IIRC, bees prefer >a >cavity around 20 litres. By both artificially increasing its volume >(supering) and increasing the ventilation, we go a long way towards >creating >the illusion that they still need more stores and are not yet ready to >swarm. > Perhapsthe removal of surplus in advance would be a considerat part of this equation? Alden Marshall B-Line Apiaries Hudson, NH 03051 [log in to unmask] tel. 603-883-6764 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]