Bee Keeping - June and July

When a hive has reached a vigorous and healthy state the urge to swarm kicks in. By this natural method of division one hive may become two or more.

In good weather the queen leaves the hive, taking to the wing with tens of thousands of bees, each gorged with a full load of honey. After spending a limited period hanging in a cluster the swarm moves as one to a newly discovered home, perhaps in a hollow tree or more annoyingly an accessible cavity in a building.

To minimise the occurrence of swarming the beekeepers examine each hive in detail looking for signs of swarming. If the tell-tale queen cells are found the hive is instantly divided in two, forestalling the act of swarming.