-----Original Message-----
From: Computer Software Solutions Ltd <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, February 23, 1998 7:27 PM
Subject: Swarm Control
 
 
>Hi All
>
>I am reading up on this subject and I am grateful for the assistance I
>obtained recently. I am a beginner beekeeper and I am trying to understand
>some of the theory of this highly complex activity. Some questions come to
>mind, and I thought I would put then out for comment.
>
>Many methods of swarm control, consist of the beekeeper taking action when
>the swarming procedures have been initiated by the bees.
MOST EXPERIENCED BEEKEEPERS FEEL THAT IF THE BEES HAVE INITATED SWARMING
PROCEDURES IT IS TOO LATE TO TAKE ACTION AND THEY WILL EVENTUALLY SWARM
REGARDLESS OF THE ACTION.  I DON'T FULLY BELIEVE THIS, BUT I THINK IT IS
IMPRACTICAL FOR ANY BUT THE HOBBYIST TO TAKE THE ACTION NECESSARY.  FURTHER,
I THINK THAT EVEN FOR THE HOBBYIST THE ACTION NECESSARY (OPENING THE HIVE
WEEKLY FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS, SHAKING THE BEES FROM EVERY FRAME AND
CUTTING OUT ALL QUEEN CELLS) SO DEMORILIZES THE BEES THAT THEY WILL GET A
SHARPLY REDUCED CROP.
  Am I correct in
>saying, that by using queen cells raised in response to the swarming
>impulse, that we are perpetuating the swarming propensity, when what we
>should be doing is lessening it?
THE ARTIFICIAL METHODS ARE MEANT TO BE TAKEN BEFORE THE BEES START SWARM
PROCEDURES.  AS SUCH, THE BEEKEEPER DOES NOT KNOW IF THEY WOULD REALLY SWARM
IF LEFT UNATTENDED.  INSTEAD, THE BEEKEEPER IS PLAYING THE ODDS.  THAT SAID,
THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT IF ONE FINDS A HIVE THAT DOES NOT SWARM DESPITE
CONDITIONS THAT LEAD OTHER HIVES TO SWARM, HE HAS FOUND A VALUABLE
CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT QUEEN.
. If this be the case, then the Artificial
>Swarming method of Swarm Control is really only creating a demand for
itself.
>
>Conversely, does this not make the Demaree or the Snelgrove or the Jenter
>systems superior, since the queens which are raised are not raised in
>response to the swarming impulse (or are they).?
THE DAMAREE AND SNELGROVE SYSTEMS ARE BOTH METHODS OF CREATING AN ARTIFICIAL
SWARM THAT THE BEEKEEPER CAN CONTROL, AND THUS NOT LOSE THE ENTIRE CROP AS
HE ALMOST CERTAINLY WOULD IF THE BEES SWARMED NATURALLY.  THE JENTER SYSTEM
IS REALLY QUITE DIFFERENT, AND IS PRIMARILY A MEANS OF PRODUCING QUEENS
WITHOUT THE SPECIALIZED THECNIQUES OF GRAFTING.
>
>
>Sincerely
>Tom Barrett
>49 South Park
>Foxrock
>Dublin 18
>Ireland
>
>e mail [log in to unmask]
>Tel + 353 1 289 5269
>Fax + 353 1 289 9940
>
>Latitude  53 Deg 16' 12.8" North
>Longitude 06 Deg  9' 44.9" West