Marlow(that's him in the suit!)is a local beekeeper with a few hives in North napa. He follows the city code for BMPs and keeps his neighbors happily in honey. if his colonies are primed this time of year, he has been able to share his genetics with other members of the Beekeepers of NV club.  understanding swarm management is so important, especially in the city limits. but if you don't get in there in time to catch it and split, hopefully they'll cluster in your own plum tree while you are out working in your garden to witness the show. Thanks to Marlow and his wife for their generosity and letting us beek out with them.

I’d love to hear how everyone Is doing! Log in to post a blog and Share your stories of swarms and splits won't you? This old gal Steven (yes, steven can be a girls name) was about to head for the trees with half of the colony she had been with for a few years. Instead, to prevent swarming and make use of her genetics, we ushered a split. Steven was gathered up and rehomed in a nuc box along with frames containing a balanced blend of brood, bees and food- then bee bussed to another holding yard apiary. The mother hive retained newly capped queens cells to raise a strong new queen.