Background

Invented in 1892 by George Demaree. Promises swarm prevention and extra honey.

Premise

Trick a single hive into thinking it swarmed but it hasn't. Can use to split from swarm cells or simply maintain one hive without splitting.

Steps

1. Remove the hive from the hive stand, leaving only the screened bottom board and slatted rack (if you are using one).
2. Above the bottom board and optional slatted rack, place a brood box filled with empty drawn comb.
3. Remove the center two frames of drawn comb and set aside.
4. Go back to the active brood boxes and find the queen.
5. Place the queen and two frames of sealed brood in the center of the new brood box.
6. Place a queen excluder above this box.
7. Above the queen excluder, place one or more empty honey supers (with frames) and then the original brood box where you found the queen. Push the brood nest together in the center and put the two empty drawn frames (from step 3) on either end of the box.
8. Add your inner cover and telescoping lid.
9. After one week, go through the top brood box and remove any swarm cells.
10. If necessary, the entire procedure may be repeated after 9 or 10 days.

Hive Setup