In wild natural conditions, bees reproduce by fertilization and swarming. Novice beekeepers are interested in the question of how to properly propagate bees in an apiary artificially. Various methods can be used to increase the population. When choosing, you need to consider the features, pros and cons of each option. Successful beekeeping also depends on proper insect care practices.
Structure and functions of the uterus and drones
The queen bee grows larger than the worker bees. It has an elongated and massive abdomen, a highly developed reproductive organ, and several special glands.Function is to lay eggs from which young queens, drones, and worker bees develop.
The drone is the male of the common honey bee, its main function is fertilization. Structural features: wide chest with long wings, oval abdomen, large touching eyes, long antennae, short proboscis. Instead of a device for collecting pollen, the drone has a copulatory organ.
Natural reproduction
Several methods are used to breed insects. Natural reproduction is laid down at the genetic level and occurs in two ways.
Population increase
In a hive, the process of reproduction involves the laying of eggs by the queen. The queens mate with the drones, rising high into the air. There are usually several mating flights (lasting 15-20 minutes). Several drones are involved in the fertilization process. Main stages of the mating procedure:
- the drone's seminal fluid enters the eruption canal;
- sperm is injected into the oviducts of the uterus;
- the liquid fills the seminal receptacle, while some flows out.
If the queen returns to the hive with a whitish film on her abdomen, then the mating process has taken place.
Swarming
The process involves dividing the family into two parts. Several factors can provoke swarming: crowded conditions in the hive, excess nutrition, poor ventilation, and the appearance of many young insects.
As a result of division, some bees with the old queen fly out in search of a new habitat. Some of the insects and the laid uterine eggs remain in the hive. When new queens appear, only one will remain in the hive, and the rest will also fly away in swarms in search of new shelters.
Artificial propagation
To obtain more beekeeping products, beekeepers most often breed insects competently and in a timely manner. Various methods of expanding beekeeping are being practiced.
Layerings
This method is advisable to use in the presence of excess brood, young queens and drones. For layering, empty hives, honeycombs, insert boards, and insulation are prepared in advance. In order to form layering, brood is selected from strong families. If a colony occupies 9 frames, having brood on 7 frames, then you can take one frame of mature printed brood along with the bees without damage.
Division
This method is advisable to use in case of an overcrowded bee colony. The method involves dividing one bee colony into two. Main workflows:
- a new structure, similar in color and size, is installed next to the old hive;
- several frames taken from the old one are placed in the new hive. Of these, two-thirds of the frames are chosen with brood, and one-third of the frames are set with honey and beebread;
- They also put in several frames with empty foundation.
The final stage - a young fertile queen is placed in the new hive, and for the first days she is not released from a special structure, observing the behavior of insects. The individual is released if there is no aggression from the working insects.
Plaque on the uterus
Experienced beekeepers recommend using this method when signs of bee swarming appear.They carry out the procedure during the day, when the old worker bees fly into the field. The essence of the method: the old hive is moved to another place, and a new structure is installed in its place.
A “fresh” hive is filled with frames of honey and wax. Also, the queen with a brood frame is transferred to the new hive from the old one, so most of the worker bees will return to her. In this case, young insects remain in the old hive, and a frame with a queen cell is placed with them.
Bee packages
For a novice beekeeper, the easiest way to increase the population is to purchase bee packages. Approximate product contents: a strong fiberboard box, in which three frames with brood and one covering frame are fixed (fixed at the top and bottom). Before transplanting, prepare the hive in advance. To make the purchase worthwhile, it is recommended to make purchases in trusted nurseries.
