South Louisiana March Swarms

[BEEMAN]

I have been reading all the March 2008 swarm stories from South Louisiana beekeepers and was wondering if anyone else thinks that some of these swarms are from displaced colonies that were distroyed from hurricane Katrina and hurricane Rita. I live in Franklin, Louisiana and last year I caught a large number of swarms in the month of March. So far this year I have only been called out to do one cutout. I hope my swarm calls start soon.

BEEMAN

[JP]

I have been reading all the March 2008 swarm stories from South Louisiana beekeepers and was wondering if anyone else thinks that some of these swarms are from displaced colonies that were distroyed from hurricane Katrina and hurricane Rita. I live in Franklin, Louisiana and last year I caught a large number of swarms in the month of March. So far this year I have only been called out to do one cutout. I hope my swarm calls start soon.

BEEMAN

Impossible to answer that question. Swarms are generally either from mature colonies or colonies that became honeybound. The size of the hive is dependant on the space the colony occupies. If bees have good resources they can build fast and if they build to the point where the broodnest becomes congested, where is the queen to lay? A colony can swarm out in its first season or 2nd, 3rd, 4th yr, etc... There are other variables that lead to swarming as well or not, poor nectar flow, invasion from predators, parasites, lightening hitting trees etc... Last yr was a banner yr, from all I have taked to in my area and this yr is off to a whopping start!


...JP