>
>It is important to me to find and evaluate each queen when I do the spring
>overhaul.


As I said, our season is at first delayed, and then fast on us, and then
over. I prefer to allow the queens to prove themselves. Supercedure queens
might be just as good as raised or bought ones. In face, I like bees that
supercede successfully. I think it a good trait. Better for sure than the
ones that want to requeen by swarming.

>
>I check EVERY frame for foulbrood.


I only check four frames of sealed brood. I find that enough.

>The only beekeeper which does such a labor intensive spring rework I have
>talked to has been David Hackenburg while wintering in Florida.

But he's in Florida, and has the time.

>
>With the information included in the last post I intend to set aside a yard
>and try your methods to see the  difference naxt year.   Perhaps your
>method might work better for honey production
>in our area. I had supers on a month earlier by your method but had a great
>deal of swarming which I see very little of with mine.
>Bob


I see some cells started about mid-dandelion flow. These I cut out when I
reverse the brood nests...as long as they are young cells...cups with eggs,
or young larvae...and you must get every one!! This seems to stop the
majority of colonies swarming. Colonies full of sealed cells need to be
handled differently...split in half with a nuc board, letting each half
raise a new queen.. I have less than 10% swarm each year...way better than
my old methods when many of the good ones would swarm and some of the duds
would too.

Mike

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