Spring Swarm Prevention

Book Review: Swarm Essentials by Stephen J. Repasky

​It is a truth universally acknowledged that a beekeeper in possession of an overwintered hive must be in need of swarm prevention. Where does one go to learn the signs that one’s colony is preparing to swarm? Look no further than Stephen J. Repasky’s “Swarm Essentials: Ecology, Management, Sustainability” (2014 Wicwas Press).

As Spring approaches there is no better time to (re-)acquaint yourself with the biology of swarming (including its advantages and causes of swarming). Once you understand why bees swarm you can apply different strategies Repasky recommends to prevent swarming of your colony.

Even with the best of intentions sometimes you can’t dampen the instincts of bees to swarm so Repasky shares insights on how to manage the swarm when it happens as well as how to deal with the parent colony in its post-swarm state. Rounding out the book is a chapter on techniques for catching swarms illustrated with photos and tales of swarm catching adventures by the author.

Of all the things in this slim volume, my absolute favorite part is Appendix III “Beekeeper Decision Making Chart During Swarm Season.” This flowchart alone is worth the price of the book. I have a laminated photocopy of the flowchart and I make sure to bring it with me on every hive inspection I do from late March to late May.

Do yourself and your bees a favor in the next couple of weeks - get a copy of the book and read it from cover to cover so you can anticipate and manage (or mitigate) the 2018 swarm season for your colony. Long live the queen!