Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[AndyC]

I have colonies in national framed hives, a TBH and two Warres, currently unoccupied.

Last season I struggled a bit with reconciling low intervention beekeeping with necessary swarm management, as I cannot let my colonies swarm willynilly due to the geography around the apiary.

I came across the Youtude videos on the Taranov artificial swarm system and how one guy uses the activity at the hive entrance as his swarm management trigger, rather than weekly exhaustive inspections of the brood nest with the obvious dangers to the queen and disruption of the colonies activities.

It struck me that using an FLIR would be an equally accurate method of ascertaining when the colony is entering the pre-swarm phase of development and thus triggering my preparations for a Taranov split.

Does this sound like a cunning plan?
[/i]

[biobee]

Yes, assuming you can spot the relevant behaviour.

How about using a listening device as well, such as the Apidictor?


See this thread http://www.biobees.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6765

[AndyC]

Looks interesting from a scientific viewpoint.

I don't have the skills or inclination to make one or the knowledge to get the app working on an Apple device so will have to fall back on the IR and activity at the hive entrance as my swarm management trigger.

Just noted too the distance from the Taranov board to the hive is far from critical so I can take the legs off the TBH and put it under the Taranov board so the swarm can take up residience exactly where I want them with very little if any shaking etc.

We will see.

[biobee]

I must put a Taranov board on my list of Things To Make...

For those unfamiliar with the Taranov method of swarm management, see Dave Cushman's page - http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/taranovswm.html

[AndyC]

And this has some interesting stuff even if the soundtrack is a bit annoying.

Stick with it if you can. . . . . . .

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ETgWMMZr4So