wondering about the swarm process

[catminy]

This is my first spring with bees.  I had a hive that was only four deep frames of bees in February.  Suddenly the hive was packed with bees.  Then, the first week of April they swarmed.  I had added a super but it must have been too late.  Well,  they swarmed again on Sunday.  Does the replacement queen hatch and begin laying before the old queen leaves with the swarm?  I went out to check on the poor babes left behind and saw a queen entering the hive and several drones hanging around the entrance.  Amazingly, the hive is still strong and I am thinking they may be planning another swarm.  I have only one deep brood box and two medium boxes on the hive.  Should I add another deep?  Last summer I had quite a fight with hive beetles.  I don't want to give them too much room,  but I'm really not sure what is too much room at this point. 

[marksmith]

Is the brood honeybound?

Is there swarm cells?

Sounds to me like the perfect time for you to do a split and gain another colony.

[catminy]

 The brood is not honeybound.  And yes there were swarm cells in the medium brood box.  I scraped them out.  There were about three frames with two or three queen cells and queen cups on them.  Even after two swarms in less than two weeks there are still a lot of bees in the hive.  If I split the hive will it effect the honey harvest?  I wasn't prepared for this as you can tell.  I was trying to get ready for harvesting honey this year.  I'm still trying to "learn what to expect," and I was expecting to get honey.  I wasn't  expecting two swarms from one hive in such a short time!  I'm sooo confused! 

[marksmith]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesswarmcontrol.htm

Start there.


Sounds like you have a LOT of bees.  You can pull a frame or two of brood (not next to one another) and let them fill it back, and this will hopefully stall the bees from swarming.

You can also take a frame or 2 of brood with eggs, a couple frames of honey and a frame of pollen/nectar. Shake out 30% of this hive into another hive and start another colony. 

I am a new bee by all means. I hope one of the seasoned guys will pop on here to give further advice.

[indypartridge]

Does the replacement queen hatch and begin laying before the old queen leaves with the swarm?

Usually the swarm leaves right before the new queen emerges, however weather plays a major factor.

I don't want to give them too much room,  but I'm really not sure what is too much room at this point. 

Too little room is a problem. "Too much room" is rarely a problem.

I'm still trying to "learn what to expect,"

You can learn what bees "usually" do in a certain situation, but that doesn' t mean you can expect it. They don't read books, and will often leave you scratching your head. It's part of the fun of beekeeping.

[Michael Bush]

>Does the replacement queen hatch and begin laying before the old queen leaves with the swarm?

No.

>Should I add another deep?

Add anything.  But open up the brood nest.

[catminy]

 Thanks for all the help.  Maybe  I should take my books up to the hive and read a couple of chapters to the babes.  I like a challenge;  Mother nature is an awesome challenge.  I'm not too upset by the swarms.  I live in a remote area and I'm sure the new colonies will have a great place to live.  I just want a little honey :).

[fish_stix]

You're managing for swarms, not honey! Get them some more brood space; you've evidently got some excellent queens. Put on another deep and just watch for hive beetles and then manage for hive beetles!