Hertfordshire Beekeepers Association

May – you should be inspecting weekly by now – swarming has started early this year. Thoroughly inspect all of the brood. If any of the comb is old then start to work it to the outside so that it can be replaced with foundation placed on the outside of the brood nest. Try and replace a third of it each year. Start by removing outer frames that are full of last years crystalised honey – the bees won't use it anyway. Add supers (they can fill in a week at this time of year) to ensure that there is plenty of space. Congestion is the main cause of swarming. If you plan to expand your apiary then have spare hives at the ready for a real or artificial swarm.