“…I Kept bees from late 70's through late 80's and only remember one swarm. This year I had 5 of 8 of my original colonies swarm….” DRUR
Post#8: http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242688
DRUR,
Your achievement (from late 70's through late 80's ) is very close to this one:
"...Another point to ponder. If one of the primary causes for swarming, is, amongst other reasons, too much heat, it stands to reason that with a ventilated hive there should be less swarming tendencies. That is what we have found, in eight years we haven't had a hive swarm on us."
Beekeeper with 50 years of experience. (http://www.beeworks.com/d_e_details.html)
Therefore I would like to know your personal opinion about my statement:
“When a feral colony begins overcrowding inside of a hollow tree or another natural cavity, a portion of the bees swarm.
However, swarming within a managed bee hive usually presents a sign of poor beekeeping practices.
For example, if your bee colony became unhealthy, for any one of many potential reasons (chemical treatments, usage of high fructose corn or sugar syrups and other supplemental, neglect of a clean water source and so on), generally the bees would not be able to handle even small temperature increases inside the hive.
The problem is getting worse, if your hive ventilation is poor.
In such situations, the colony will swarm not because it has to swarm, but rather because it cannot maintain itself in this strenuous environment.
Also, more importantly, there is NO real proof that any healthy and well-managed hive has to swarm”
In addition:
1. Could you show me some photos with your hive location?
2. What is the thickness of your hive bodies?
3. Do you have temperature control in your hives?
4. How do you treat your bees?
Thanks.
Boris Romanov
Post#8: http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242688
DRUR,
Your achievement (from late 70's through late 80's ) is very close to this one:
"...Another point to ponder. If one of the primary causes for swarming, is, amongst other reasons, too much heat, it stands to reason that with a ventilated hive there should be less swarming tendencies. That is what we have found, in eight years we haven't had a hive swarm on us."
Beekeeper with 50 years of experience. (http://www.beeworks.com/d_e_details.html)
Therefore I would like to know your personal opinion about my statement:
“When a feral colony begins overcrowding inside of a hollow tree or another natural cavity, a portion of the bees swarm.
However, swarming within a managed bee hive usually presents a sign of poor beekeeping practices.
For example, if your bee colony became unhealthy, for any one of many potential reasons (chemical treatments, usage of high fructose corn or sugar syrups and other supplemental, neglect of a clean water source and so on), generally the bees would not be able to handle even small temperature increases inside the hive.
The problem is getting worse, if your hive ventilation is poor.
In such situations, the colony will swarm not because it has to swarm, but rather because it cannot maintain itself in this strenuous environment.
Also, more importantly, there is NO real proof that any healthy and well-managed hive has to swarm”
In addition:
1. Could you show me some photos with your hive location?
2. What is the thickness of your hive bodies?
3. Do you have temperature control in your hives?
4. How do you treat your bees?
Thanks.
Boris Romanov