In message <[log in to unmask]>, Mark Dettori
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>The other method I have heard of, the Snelgrove method,
>isolates the pheromones of one queen from the other, save for maybe a 24
>hour declining period during a transfer of field bees from one box to
>the other.  This, from my uneducated perspective, seems to be by purpose
>and makes the Snelgrove more complicated and time consuming.
The Snelgrove board was designed to separate an artificial swarm (lower
box) from the brood and queen cells (upper box). The opening and closing
of the various entrances are designed to remove flying bees from the
queen cells, help the lower colony and stop swarming from the upper box
(it can happen). It is not designed as a 2-queen system, but keeps the
pheromones mingling if you want to unite them as a 2-queen system once
you have the mated queen upstairs. If the timing of the split fits the
seasons well, the 2-queens have ample time to build a larger crop,
though most people (AFAIK) would give the whole of the colony over to
the young queen, releasing more flying bees to forage.
--
James Kilty

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