What is the Snelgrove Swarm Control Method?
A Quick Overview of How to Prevent Swarming and Raise Queens with this Simple Technique
Swarming is one of the most natural behaviours of honeybees, but for beekeepers, it can mean a significant loss of bees, honey, and productivity. Among the various techniques developed to manage or prevent swarming, the Snelgrove Method stands out as a versatile and effective approach. Named after its inventor, Leonard E. Snelgrove, a British beekeeper, this method allows beekeepers to control swarming and increase honey yields without the need for complex equipment or disrupting the colony more than necessary.
How Does the Snelgrove Method Work?
The Snelgrove method is a form of artificial swarm control that uses a specially designed double-entrance board (commonly called a Snelgrove board). This board allows beekeepers to separate the queen from part of the brood while maintaining the bees in the same hive structure.
Here’s how it works in brief:
- The queen is left in the bottom brood box with some of the brood and bees.
- The rest of the brood is placed above the Snelgrove board along with nurse bees, and entrance control is used to manage bee movement.
- The separation simulates swarming conditions but without the bees actually leaving the hive.
- Over time, the upper box will attempt to raise a new queen, while the lower box, with the old queen, stabilises.
- Beekeepers can then manage the colony to reunite, replace queens, or use the upper box as a nucleus colony.
What Equipment Do You Need for the Snelgrove Method?
| Equipment | Description |
|---|---|
| Snelgrove Board | A board with a central mesh for ventilation and six entrances (three upper, three lower) |
| Queen Excluder (optional) | Can be used below the upper box if desired |
| Extra Brood Box | To house the upper brood with nurse bees |
| Entrance Blocks or Tapes | To control which entrances on the Snelgrove board are open or closed at various times |
| Bee Suit and Smoker | Standard protection and calming equipment for handling bees |
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Snelgrove Method
1. Inspection and Timing
The Snelgrove method is best applied just before or at the start of the swarming season, typically late April to early June in Ireland. Inspect your colonies weekly and look for swarm cells or signs of congestion.
2. Preparation
Once you detect that the colony is preparing to swarm, prepare to split the hive using the Snelgrove board.
3. Splitting the Colony
- Locate the queen and ensure she is in the bottom brood box.
- Move several frames of brood (with nurse bees but no queen cells) into the upper brood box.
- Place the Snelgrove board between the two boxes, ensuring the mesh allows airflow but no bee passage.
4. Managing Entrances
- The Snelgrove board has six entrances, which can be opened or closed selectively.
- Initially, open one of the upper entrances to allow bees in the top box to exit and orient themselves.
- Close the bottom entrance for 24-48 hours, then reopen to allow foraging bees to return to the queen-right lower box.
5. Controlling Queen Cells
- Monitor both the top and bottom boxes.
- The upper box may start raising a new queen from existing eggs/larvae.
- Depending on your goal, you can allow a new queen to emerge or remove queen cells to prevent further swarming.
Advantages of the Snelgrove Method
| Advantage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Non-Destructive | No need to physically split colonies or transport bees to another site |
| Flexible Swarm Control | Allows for either reuniting colonies or creating new nuclei |
| Enhanced Honey Production | Minimises disruption, allowing colonies to focus on nectar gathering once stabilised |
| Useful for Queen Replacement | Can be used to requeen without purchasing new queens |
When Should You Use the Snelgrove Method?
When Should You Use the Snelgrove Method?Listed below are some common times/uses, but there are additional uses for this method:
- To prevent natural swarming in strong, productive hives during the swarming season.
- When you want to raise a new queen without fully splitting the colony.
- If you lack space or equipment for full artificial swarms.
- For educational purposes, as it allows a close observation of colony dynamics.
- To Requeen a Colony Gently: If your current queen is underperforming, the Snelgrove method allows you to raise a new queen in the upper box while keeping the colony stable.
Are There Any Disadvantages?
Are There Any Disadvantages?While the Snelgrove method is widely respected, it does require careful management:
- Timing of entrance openings is critical. Mismanagement can lead to failure in swarm control.
- Requires frequent inspections during implementation.
- The Snelgrove board must be correctly constructed and maintained.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common Mistakes to Avoid- Forgetting to close/open entrances at the correct time.
- Leaving queen cells in the bottom box, resulting in uncontrolled swarming.
- Not ensuring the queen remains in the correct box during the split.
Can the Snelgrove Method Be Combined with Other Techniques?
Yes, it often complements:
- Demaree Method for larger colonies.
- Nucleus colony creation, especially when raising local queens.
- Honey production strategies in single or double brood systems.
The Snelgrove method remains a time-tested, practical approach to swarm control that suits both hobbyist and commercial beekeepers. Its success hinges on proper timing, attentive management, and understanding the behaviour of bees.
For Irish beekeepers, where weather conditions can limit beekeeping windows, the Snelgrove method provides a controlled, adaptable solution to keep hives productive and strong throughout the season.