Swarm Cell Locations

johnwm73 · June 05, 2008, 01:30:59 PM

Where in the hive is a swarm cell going to be located? I have heard it is located usually on the bottom of a frame. Is that true? And since I have 2 brood boxes per hive will the cell be in the bottom or top box? I don't want to disturb the bottom brood box unless I have to. But if I need to to check for swarm cell in the strong hive I will.

bassman1977 · June 05, 2008, 01:41:09 PM

Typically the bottom is correct and can be found near the bottom regardless of which box of the hive they are located.

doak · June 05, 2008, 01:52:32 PM

You don't to take all the frames out. Just take the top box off and sit it on the "inverted" top cover.
Now break the seal between the bottom box and bottom board. Slip it back some so as not to tip the bottom board out of place and raise it up on it's edge so you can see the bottom inside of the frames.
You can go as far as even laying it on the end. you should be able to see any queen cells, you will be able to see through between the frames and see daylight, spotting any cells up on the sides of the comb.
Hope this helps.
doak :)

Scadsobees · June 05, 2008, 01:59:09 PM

I find that they will be at the bottom of the top box, that being roughly the center of the brood nest. But they will be at the bottom of the bottom box as well.

I just do as doak said and tip the box up (makeing sure it is stabily balanced..its rough when you tip one off!!), smoke the bees up and check the bottom for queen cells.

I have too many bees to be able to see sunlight all the way through, though. :roll:And the hives that I can I'm not really worried about swarming....

Rick

johnwm73 · June 05, 2008, 02:04:10 PM

Thanks. I am going to check them out this afternoon. I don't think they are going to swarm. But I do have a hive that is stronger than I expected from a 5 frame nuc. It has filled both boxes and she is laying in 2 frames of the 2nd box right now.

sc-bee · June 06, 2008, 06:17:04 AM

You read this often about placement of cells. I wonder how often it holds true. It hasn't in my situation but I only have five years :-D

Michael Bush · June 07, 2008, 12:40:13 PM

>Where in the hive is a swarm cell going to be located? I have heard it is located usually on the bottom of a frame. Is that true?

Usually. Yes.

> And since I have 2 brood boxes per hive will the cell be in the bottom or top box?

Either.

> I don't want to disturb the bottom brood box unless I have to. But if I need to to check for swarm cell in the strong hive I will.

I don't check for swarm cells, I check for backfilling the brood chamber, but while I'm there I might find some swarm cells. What are you going to do if you find them? By the time you find them they are already going to swarm.

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

johnwm73 · June 07, 2008, 09:17:30 PM

Well i would split if I need to. What is a precursor to swarm earlier than a swarm cell? I have both brood boxes on both my hives full and a super on each one. My area from what I have found out has a honey flow in late April and May and maybe a week or two in June. I am hoping to give them enough room that they won't swarm and I have a good population to go into winter. But that is why I was wanting to find the first signs of swarming to catch them and split if I need to.