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Over the last few years, BDI - in conjunction with the National Bee Unit – has run a trial to offer whole apiary shook swarms when the Bee Inspector felt it would be of benefit to the bees and beekeeper.
Over the last few years, BDI - in conjunction with the National Bee Unit – has run a trial to offer whole apiary shook swarms when the Bee Inspector felt it would be of benefit to the bees and beekeeper.
Following an evaluation of the results, which indicated a positive benefit in this policy, in 2026 BDI is offering a modified version of the policy and will move to formalise arrangements in the future. Note that the updated scheme extends the offer to beekeepers with more than 40 colonies; at the end of the year we will again review the take-up and results.
Following an evaluation of the results, which indicated a positive benefit in this policy, in 2026 BDI is offering a modified version of the policy and will move to formalise arrangements in the future. Note that the updated scheme extends the offer to beekeepers with more than 40 colonies; at the end of the year we will again review the take-up and results.
The new Whole Apiary Shook Swarm offer is for all colonies and equipment (e.g. frames and combs etc) stored in the infected apiary when at least one colony has been confirmed as having European foulbrood (EFB) by an Authorised Bee Inspector (ABI).
The new Whole Apiary Shook Swarm offer is for all colonies and equipment (e.g. frames and combs etc) stored in the infected apiary when at least one colony has been confirmed as having European foulbrood (EFB) by an Authorised Bee Inspector (ABI).
New for 2026, this offer is now open to Scheme B members as well as Scheme A members. (Scheme B is for beekeepers with more than 40 colonies)
New for 2026, this offer is now open to Scheme B members as well as Scheme A members. (Scheme B is for beekeepers with more than 40 colonies)
The beekeeper must check that he/she has BDI insurance cover for all colonies and let the ABI know his/her intention to proceed with a Whole Apiary Shook Swarm within 24 hours of field confirmation of disease.
The beekeeper must check that he/she has BDI insurance cover for all colonies and let the ABI know his/her intention to proceed with a Whole Apiary Shook Swarm within 24 hours of field confirmation of disease.
The Whole Apiary Shook Swarm must be completed within two weeks of confirmation of disease. Queen-less colonies or those with a virgin queen must be united with colonies headed by a queen in full lay.
The Whole Apiary Shook Swarm must be completed within two weeks of confirmation of disease. Queen-less colonies or those with a virgin queen must be united with colonies headed by a queen in full lay.
The National Bee Unit states: “Trials have shown that shaking bees onto new foundation and then destroying the old combs can be beneficial when controlling European foulbrood. This procedure is known as Shook Swarming and it may also be beneficial in controlling Nosema spp., chalk brood and Varroa mite populations. Colonies treated in this way often become the strongest and most productive in an apiary. Some beekeepers are now using this system to replace all the old brood combs in a beehive within a single procedure.”
The National Bee Unit states: “Trials have shown that shaking bees onto new foundation and then destroying the old combs can be beneficial when controlling European foulbrood. This procedure is known as Shook Swarming and it may also be beneficial in controlling Nosema spp., chalk brood and Varroa mite populations. Colonies treated in this way often become the strongest and most productive in an apiary. Some beekeepers are now using this system to replace all the old brood combs in a beehive within a single procedure.”
Photo: Courtesy The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Crown Copyright
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