The shook swarm method is a straightforward and effective process to rejuvenate a bee colony by transferring them to fresh foundation. This technique not only refreshes comb but also helps manage and prevent diseases like European Foul Brood (EFB) and reduces pathogens or chemical residues that may accumulate in old comb. In certain cases, a Bailey comb change may be an alternative, but the shook swarm is ideal for severe infestations, such as with varroa mites, or for treating colonies infected with EFB.
The shook swarm is also a useful tool for retraining bees to build combs with different cell sizes. The process, which involves moving the entire adult bee population into a new hive setup, allows beekeepers to effectively reset the hive without disrupting the colony’s strength or honey production.
When to Use the Shook Swarm Method
For best results in the UK, this method should be used between April and July to ensure the colony has time to adapt and thrive before the colder months. The timing may be less critical if disease control is the primary goal, but proper seasonal timing will still improve colony resilience.
Preparing for the Shook Swarm Process
To perform the shook swarm method, gather the following equipment:
- A clean brood chamber
- New or sterilised frames with fresh foundation
- Floor with entrance block
- Spare queen excluder
- Crown board
- Rapid or hive-top feeder
- Sugar syrup feed
- Container for old comb
Ensure that any reused equipment has been sterilised to reduce the risk of reintroducing disease. For disease management, the equipment should be thoroughly cleaned or scorched.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Shook Swarm Method
- Move the Hive: Shift the original hive to one side, about a metre from its stand.
- Set Up the New Brood Box: Place a clean floor with an entrance block on the original hive stand, and add a queen excluder on top (acting as a temporary queen barrier).
- Prepare the Brood Box: Position the new brood chamber with frames of fresh foundation over the queen excluder. Remove a few frames in the centre to create a shaded space for shaking bees.
- Dismantle the Old Hive: Locate and safely cage the queen if possible, or place her between frames in the new brood box to keep her safe.
- Transfer the Bees: One by one, shake each brood frame over the new box. Gently shake bees from each frame into the shaded centre of the brood chamber, being careful to avoid excessive jolting.
- Dispose of Old Frames: Place the empty, bee-free frames in the container. If they are contaminated, burn or melt them down to prevent the spread of pathogens.
- Finish Assembly: Replace the removed frames into the new brood box, and release the queen if she was caged.
Handling Supers
If the original hive has supers, the next steps depend on your primary goal. If altering cell size, you may reattach the supers once the new brood comb is fully drawn. For disease prevention, extract honey from the supers, and render the wax through a solar or steam wax extractor to minimise the risk of recontamination.
Important Tips
- Ensure the colony has a healthy, young queen to improve their chances of rebuilding rapidly.
- Shook swarms are more successful with strong colonies; they are not recommended for small or weak colonies.
- Maintain a nectar supply or feed with sugar syrup until bees are drawing the new foundation. Avoid feeding if the shook swarm is for EFB treatment, as stored honey in bee stomachs may perpetuate the disease.
Shook Swarm for Disease Control
The shook swarm method has been extensively tested by the National Bee Unit at the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) as a chemical-free solution for managing EFB, a notifiable disease under the Bee Diseases Control Order 1982. Beekeepers suspecting EFB must contact their Regional or Seasonal Bee Inspector and should not attempt to treat it independently, as this is prohibited by law.
For additional guidance, refer to the National Bee Unit’s page on EFB to ensure your method complies with best practices for disease management.
The NBU has created this video: