I know that swarms usually precede the flow by a few weeks. But when does the reproductive swarm impulse recede? If I can use brood nest opening to prevent reproductive swarms before the flow, is the danger over? I know that overcrowding swarms can happen any time but we have had problems stopping early swarms even with constant vigilance. These girls REALLY want to start new hives. :-D
Does the flow keep them so busy that they forget about reproduction?
Quote from: FRAMEshift on May 19, 2011, 09:31:39 AM
Does the flow keep them so busy that they forget about reproduction?
They give you an answer hive by hive.
Muhammed: "Tie your Camel first and then Trust Allah"
I'd say mostly yes but it depends on a particular hive's progress. Some are late to build up.
...JP
I would say reproductive motivations lessen during the flow but if you let them run out of room they will still swarm during the flow. But if you keep the supers on during the flow so they have room they probably won't. Before the flow it takes more than that.
Quote from: Finski on May 19, 2011, 09:45:48 AM
Muhammed: "Tie your Camel first and then Trust Allah"
Yes, I understand that the camels in Finland are particularly frisky. :-D I believe the species name is dromidarius suomi.
Quote from: FRAMEshift on May 19, 2011, 12:50:17 PM
Yes, I understand that .
Right, we have a douple hill camel in Zoo
(http://stansta2.ajatukseni.net/files/2010/11/kamelit.jpg)
Swarming is directly tied to swarming. In times of plenty, most insects divide and multiply. In good years, they will divide more, and in times of not so plenty, they multiply less. Even birds will raise an extra cycle of eggs. Many species will even have larger litters, broods, etc., based on resources, etc.
Bees are no different.
In fact, we even have a secondary swarm season here in September based on a fall flow. Research has shown that in areas of goldenrod and aster, and in places like Florida with Brazilian peppers, bees will swarm about any time, based on the incoming nectar and flow. In areas with no real fall flow, no fall swarming will be seen.
I have never heard it stated before that bees are so busy with nectar that this stops or slows swarming. I think it is the opposite. Times of heavy flow stimulates swarming and the natural reproductive urges.
Quote from: Michael Bush on May 19, 2011, 12:05:03 PM
I would say reproductive motivations lessen during the flow but if you let them run out of room they will still swarm during the flow. But if you keep the supers on during the flow so they have room they probably won't. Before the flow it takes more than that.
that is what I would say.
But if the stock is swarmy, nothing stop them.
My hives swarm what they swarm and during main flow I do not need to worry about it.
But however, here and there they start to rear queen cells during the mainflow.
Nothing is sure. Allah helps those who tie their camel.