Here's the latest advice from the Vale & Downland Beekeepers Association:
'... if you are unsure of the source of the swarm then keep them away from your
other hives. They may be carrying disease, and often seem to be bad-tempered
or prone to following.'
Nonsense. I started keeping bees 40 years ago and, with one or two exceptions,
always with swarms. Hardly ever have I had these problems.
Andrew
-----Original Message-----
From: oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of Karen Giles
Sent: 02 June 2020 07:05
To: oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [oxnatbees] OBKA newsletter
At the risk of boiling a few people’s blood I have just read this from this
months BBKA newsletter.......
“From a bee welfare point of view, a swarm should be hived as soon as possible
after collection.
Swarms are not necessarily the best way of starting with bees. The bees are
likely to be naturally swarmy; they may be diseased; the queen may be old; and
they may be of uncertain temperament. Any of these could provide difficulties
for a beginner.”
My earnest question is, is there any science backing this up or is it a
commercial style beekeepers assumptions or maybe even justification for their
swarm control and queen control methods?
It instinctively made me a bit cross is my swarm are thriving and so gentle, my
TBH is now nearly 3/4 full of lovely fresh comb but I would love to know if
their opinions have any merit.
K
