Minding Your Bees And Cues - A Swarm in July

摘要

A swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly.Beekeepers love sayings, but we think this one needs a bit of revision. This famous swarm rating aphorism is credited to the mid-17th century where beekeepers were most certainly honey obsessed and not at all worried about Varroa mites, queen quality orkeeping their neighbors happy (and swarm free). This old saying both elevates the worth of the May swarm and diminishes the potential of the July swarm and is not necessarily the best messaging for today’s 21st century beekeeper.