Swarm Prevention

Why bees swarm

A strong colony that runs out of room will swarm. It's a healthy reproductive instinct, not a problem — but it costs you bees and a queen. The trick is staying ahead of it.

Warning signs

• Queen cells along the bottom of frames (swarm cells)
• Backfilled brood nest (no room to lay)
• Bearding on the front of the hive

Prevention

• Add supers before they're needed, not after
• Reverse brood boxes in early spring
• Do a checkerboard or split if you see swarm cells
• Make a walk-away split if you have to — better than losing them entirely