Tips on preventing honey bee swarms from the Teneessee Valley Beekeepers Association.

1. Swarm Prevention for Honey Beesby: Marcus Moyersbeeman.2@netzero.netTVBA Meeting February, 23, 2009 Tennessee Valley Beekeeping Association Mission Statement: “To promote the study, science and craft of beekeeping and to provide education and encouragement to all Tennessee Valley Beekeepers.”

2. Swarm Prevention for Honey Bees What Makes a Swarm? Definition What Actions Start Taking Place? New Queen in Cell. Piping Sound. Purpose of the Piping Sound. The Chain Saw Sound.

3. Swarm Prevention for Honey Bees When Swarms Typically Occur Times of the year Shook Swarming Various queen issues When there are swarm issues, i.e. weather issues

4. Swarm Prevention for Honey Bees Some Swarm Behavior Questions: What is swarm behavior? Why does it occur: Once a swarm starts, can it it be stopped? Can bees sting during a swarm? What happens to the remaining hive, now?

5. Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees Aspects of Swarms Be informed, and be prepared ahead of time. Hive components needed. Use drawn combs or foundation. Deep hive body vs. nuc (nucleus) box. Exercising good practical judgment.

6. Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees Preventing Swarms When to re-queen, spring or fall? Relieving overcrowding Over-supering, what is the advantage?

7. Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees Discovering Queen In the Hive When looking into your hives. Take notice of the queen`s laying pattern. Examine physical shape of the queen.

8. Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees More About When You Find Queen Cells The decision to save the queen. Cutting out queen cells. Splitting a hive.

9. Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees Catching Swarms (Question: How do you do it? Answer: Very carefully!) Has the homeowner tampered with the swarm? Some transportation do`s and don'ts. Other misadventures?

10. Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees Hiving a Swarm Importance of having the right equipment ready. Sheet on the ground method. The use of nine frames and why. How to use smoke during this activity.

11. Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees Quick Review of Swarm Swarm Prevention Watch for overcrowding Watch for increase in population Watch weather conditions Understand what wet/rainy conditions can do Learn your hives by working and observing them.