How to : The Demaree method
I first wrote about the Demaree method almost 7 years ago. It has turned out to be embarrassingly popular, and has been the most read of ~700 posts on The Apiarist for the last couple of years.
Why embarrassingly? Surely all that advertising revenue is welcome? {{1}}
It is embarrassing for two reasons; the first was I'd tagged it as a swarm control method, and the second was that I'd described a slight variant of the method, different from that originally described by George Demaree.
Was it really the Demaree method?
In addition, I'd skirted around a couple of problems with the method which I really should have elaborated upon.
In fairness, Demaree also ignored these in his description of the method.
I was in good company 😜.
Anyway, these are reasons enough to revisit the topic and describe the original Demaree method, a couple of variants, how I've used it, and its benefits and drawbacks.
What is the Demaree method?
The Demaree is a swarm prevention method first described by George Demaree in 1892.
The two defining features of the Demaree method are:
- Separation of the queen and flying bees from the nurse bees and brood.
- Maintenance of the hive as a single honey collecting entity, achieved by using a queen excluder for the 'separation'.
What's not to like?
No swarming, and maximising the honey crop.
Clearly, going by the popularity of the 2019 post {{2}}, this is what everyone wants. However, achieving it isn't without a bit of effort on the part of the beekeeper.
If you want to avoid the AI 'slop' that increasingly contaminates beekeeping websites then please consider supporting The Apiarist. Sponsors ensure the continued existence of the site, and receive regular sponsor-only content. ChatGPT clearly understands nothing about the Demaree method (see the notes 😜), so why trust its judgement when seeking information or entertainment on the science, art, and practice of sustainable beekeeping?
You need to get the timing right, start with a strong colony, and have both good weather and forage.
If you simply follow points 1 and 2 above, your colony will probably swarm, and you may end up with a queenless colony for your efforts (or lack of them).
However, if you're willing to put the work in, the Demaree method is a very useful addition to the range of techniques you can use to productively manage your bees.