David Stephenson asked:
> I am fairly new to beekeeping was thinking about clipping my queens in case
> they swarm so they will be easier to catch. I have heard both pros and cons
> to doing this. I was just wondering what anybodies thoughts are on this and
> if it really works and does it harm the hive in any way?
 
There was discussion on this topic between 24 and 31 May this year.  I
suggest you have a look through the archives (log9505).  To summarise:
most replies opposed the practice.  I'm still not convinced and will
continue to clip my queens.  Note that it doesn't prevent swarming and,
unless you arrive within a few hours of a swarm attempting to leave,
doesn't help you catch the old queen either.  (She just dies.)  What it
does do is prevent you loosing the rest of the swarm.  After they find
the queen is no longer with them the bees return to the hive.  You must
still act before the first virgin queen emerges but you've gained some
more time so that swarm control becomes practical during weekly
inspections.  See Gordon Scott's reply on 31 May for more details.
 
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Malcolm Roe                                Phone  :  +44 1442 345104
Crosfield Electronics Ltd                  Fax    :  +44 1442 343000
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