Starting to see reports of swarms in the southern states of the US, so if you live there consider OSBN.
Opening the Sides of the Brood Nest is a great Swarm Prevention method for Beekeepers who don't have spare drawn comb.
Here is a quick summary of the method.
Opening the Sides of the Brood Nest
Main points -
During Swarm Season:
Steps:
Start 3-4 weeks before your usual Swarm Season (or when Drone Brood is being raised):
For more details see:
http://daveybees.wikidot.com/openingthesides
If you have tried OSBN and have photos or would like to share your results, please feel free to do so in this Thread.
Opening the Sides of the Brood Nest is a great Swarm Prevention method for Beekeepers who don't have spare drawn comb.
Here is a quick summary of the method.
Opening the Sides of the Brood Nest
Main points -
During Swarm Season:
- Place undrawn frames on the outer edges of the Brood Nest.
- Trigger wax making with a Partial Foundation/Foundationless Frame.
- Maintain at least 2 undrawn frames in every box throughout Swarm Season.
- Move honey frames up and out of the Brood Box(es).
- Can start as soon as Drones are being raised.
Steps:
Start 3-4 weeks before your usual Swarm Season (or when Drone Brood is being raised):
- Move each outermost frame from a Brood Box up into the middle of a New Box (of Undrawn Frames), placed directly above the Broodnest. (So that 2 Old Frames have moved up.)
- Insert a New Frame (Partial Foundation or Full sheet of Foundation) on each outside edge of the Broodnest of the Brood Box. So that Brood frames are only on one side of each New Frame. (2 New Frames inserted, at least one Partial Foundation initially, the other can be a Full sheet of Foundation.)
- Check the Hive in 2 weeks and repeat steps 1-2 if comb has been at least partially drawn on the New Frames in the Brood Box. (So that 2 Old Frames are moved up, 2 New Frames inserted into the Brood Box.) You will now have 4 Old Drawn Frames that have been moved up into the New Box.
- Check again in 2 weeks. The New Box should now have comb getting drawn out. Repeat steps 1-2 if needed.
- Throughout Swarm Season ensure that there is at least 2 Undrawn Frames in each Box. This is to maintain Wax Making by getting the young bees to draw out new comb. (These Frames can now all be full sheets of Foundation.)
For more details see:
http://daveybees.wikidot.com/openingthesides
If you have tried OSBN and have photos or would like to share your results, please feel free to do so in this Thread.