WHEN honey is produced on an extensive scale 

 it becomes necessary to distribute the colonies 

 of bees in several apiaries to avoid overstocking. A 

 serious problem when bees are kept in outapiaries 

 is the control of swarming. 



Swarm control is less difficult in the production 

 of extracted honey than in that of comb honey. It 

 is less troublesome in some locations .than in others 

 and during some seasons than during others. The 

 reasons for these differences are important in the 

 devising of measures for swarm prevention. 



The tendency to swarm can be reduced by the 

 introduction of superior stock, by the use of well- 

 arranged hives and good combs, and by management 

 which prevents a congestion of bees in the brood 

 nest. Swarming, therefore, can be prevented to a 

 large extent by proper equipment and management. 



The conditions which reduce the congestion in the 

 brood nest (preventive measures) are at the same 

 time the conditions which induce the bees to work 

 with the greatest energy in gathering nectar. When 

 remedial measures are employed, the manipulation 

 is such that the colony is thrown into a condition 

 comparable either to the swarm or to the parent 

 colony in nature. 



These and other phases of the swarming problem 

 are discussed in this bulletin. 



Washington, D. C. ' t . t 



' Issued June, 1<)21 



