Demaree method

The Demaree method is a term used in beekeeping that describes a swarming prevention method. The method was first published by George Demaree (1832–1915) in an article in the American Bee Journal in 1884. It involves separation of the queen from the brood. However, it requires a great deal of labor and time.

The objective is to separate the unsealed brood and eggs from the queen. Brood goes above the excluder and the queen below. This measure reduces overcrowding in the beehive and therefore the bees desire to swarm; this method makes it possible to retain the total colony population; thus maintaining good honey production. The technique has the advantage of allowing a new queen to be raised as well.

It is important that the Demaree method is applied at the correct time. The timing will vary depending on each season and the rate of colony expansion and nectar source in the area, in the UK this is usually around May to early June.

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