34 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [i^ eft. 2, 1920. 



Swarming and Hiving Swarms* 



W. A. GOODACRE, Senior Apiary Inspector. 



Bees in their natural state depend solely on swarming as a means of ensuring 

 the survival of their species. Some apiarists rely on this natural method as a 

 means of increase, but the more practical men aim at minimising the number 

 of natural swarms, and prefer to depend on artificial methods of increase. 



The conditions which induce a colony to make preparation to swarm are — 

 (1) the colony becoming over-populous for the size of the hive, and (2) 

 insufficient ventilation on warm days, causing the bees to cluster outside. 

 Although these conditions are generally observed to be the chief reasons, 

 bees will on rare occasions, without any apparent reason, swarm in spite of 

 all efforts to the contrary on the part of the apiarist. It is advisable, there- 

 fore, that apiarists should always be prepai-etl for such an emergency, and 

 should have on hand prepared hives and frames containing full sheets of 

 comb foundation. Hybrid and black bees are more inclined toward swarming 

 than pure Italian. 



Preparing to Swarm. 



A colony becoming populous, drones being raised and the bees building 

 embryo queen cells are t:he first signs that a colony is likely to have a desire 

 to swarm. The next, and a sure indication, is that a good number of eggs 

 are laid in the embryo cells, and the larvje which are hatched therefrom are 

 fed lavishly with royal jelly. It is wonderful how the bees arrange this 

 preparation among themselves, and it is a recognised fact that scout bees will 

 go out, select a new home, and even prepare it for the colony. 



The swarm will usually issue about four days before the young queens are 

 due to hatch from the cells, although conditions may cause the time to vary. 

 Selecting a bright day if possible, the colony suddenly becomes in an excited 

 state, and the bees issue pell-mell from tht: hive. Practically all the bees 

 that can fiy will leave, accompanied by the queen. Under natural conditions 

 they will usually select a place and cluster, a sliaded spot about a low bush 

 or shrub being preferred. 



Hiving Natural Swarms. 



It is usual for the swarm to cluster near the apiary, and therefore the most 

 convenient method is to carry the prepared hive to the clustered swarm. A 

 frame of brood containing some eggs and larvte should be put in the prepared 

 hive, the remainder of the fiaines for the brood chamber to be made up of 

 full sheets of comb foundation. It is not always convenient to shake a 

 swarm into the hive, and a tin dish or bucket to scoop them in with will be 

 found convenient. Tip the first lot into the hive, and dump the remainder 

 near the entrance, care being taken to enlarge the entrance for the time. 

 When the bees have entered the hive, which sliould give ample accommoda- 

 tion, it can be put on a new stand. 



