Hi Tom & All,

>I
>have read the temperate climate wisdom that young queens do not swarm
>readily, but I have always wondered why that seems to be different up here.
>

I wrote a post earlier that apparently was rejected for one reason or
another that tried to explain what I think is the reason for the strong
impulse for colonies headed by a very young Queen to swarm easily in Alaska.
You mentioned the photo period being long being a possible reason and I
think that this may have a part in it. I will also add that I think it may
also be that our constant continuous nectar & pollen flow that occurs from
early April through August that might also play a part.

I am really hoping that this phenomenon is not only restricted to just
Alaska. If it is it might imply that beekeepers in Alaska can not manage
colonies correctly. I would think if it occurs because of a long photo
period that it would also happen in other far north locations. If it does
happen in other locations maybe someone from this other location can shed
some light as to why colonies from the 60th parallel or above will swarm,
more times than not, even when headed by a young Queen.

. . ..   Keith Malone, Chugiak, Alaska USA, http://www.cer.org/,
c(((([ Caucasian Bee Keeper, http://takeoff.to/alaskahoney/,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ApiarianBreedersGuild/

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