The 'June gap', brood breaks, and myths

I've just reached the 'and breathe …' part of my season.This is the period between spring expansion and summer consolidation.It's the time when I realise I am more-or-less in control of things after all, contrary to all the evidence a fortnight ago.Colonies are at or near maximum strength.The urge to swarm has been controlled, contained, coerced … or belatedly overlooked with a resigned shrug.Hopefully, rather more of the former than the latter.Apiaries are busy with a mix of production colonies (somewhat less tall now the honey supers are off), splits containing queens being saved 'just in case', and lots of nucs with virgin queens waiting for good weather for mating.The apiary in early JuneI've almost certainly run out of something or other — supers, clearers, feeders, or frames — but managed to sidestep calamity using a combination of “that'll do botchery”, borrowing and last-minute 'plus P&P' purchases.Hopefully, rather more of the former than the latter.After a rewarding but…