Swarm Control Using Checkerboarding - Theory

John White introduces the theory behind Walt Wright's swarm control method. This technique has been used for many years with success to prevent swarming and significantly increase honey yields.

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[duanevonbargen]

Looks like a paradigm shift in beekeeping. Good vid on the subject.

[TH-clbe]

so do you not get the backfilling dry cell with the checkerboard system round the April time. 15:00 has me a bit confused

[carollane]

Hello, this is an interesting video and ethos in general since I have become an accidental low input beekeeper due to health issues. I have had to adapt and used checkerboarding as part of my strategy. I didn't know it was an "invented" thing I've just always done it if I'm going to double brood boxes up. The hives that I couldn't work early in the year swarmed from their single broods all of which I caught. The swarmiest of all was the hive with the oldest frames ergo greatest risk of high mite count and bacterial issues. Nature and the bees know best and they wanted a new clean home. I have since doubled all my other brood boxes using checkerboarding to ensure they draw out the top chamber. Never had issues with this method and it has been really useful in the current circs. My bees are happier, calmer and less swarmy than they've ever been

[viscache]

What is the hive mortality rate from absconding, wax moth, beetle, veroa, when leaving the hives and only managing space? Also is there real benefit to doing this, more honey, more splits, etc? Can this be modified for horizontal hives?

[robh]

Thanks for the video. Any tips on how to find the WW papers and other material that you mention is on Beesource? I have looked around there without success.

[idehene.isaiah]

If there is no queen excluder will the queen not lay eggs in everywhere in the space above the hive

[andygardner]

What effect does breaking the stores over double the are have on the bees ability to cluster/feed over winter? Also this will mean you need double the are in the hive over winter for the bees to keep warm!!!!

[cyclist]

does your book cover checker boarding in a long hive?

[gordondean]

How does this philosophy collide with the thought that swarms are actually good for the hive as the break in egg laying slows down Varroa?

[matthewb]

On the topic of backfilling, are they swarming because they've run out of cells to store nectar and start backfilling -OR- are they doing as you said, backfilling because they plan to swarm. 🐔 And the 🥚