View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
AugustC Silver Bee

Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 613 Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
|
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:39 pm Post subject: Splits |
|
|
I am trying to understand the best way of performing a split and the related pressures that it put on the bees both in the old and new locations. I am not intending to do this today btw
Situation 1:
So ... There are a number of swarms cells in the hive.
Do I ..
a) Remove the swarm cell bars along with some brood and stores and put in a new hive leaving the current queen and active foragers in the original hive, OR,
b) Attempt to find the queen and place her in a new hive with some brood and stores and leave the swarm cells and active foragers working in the original hive.
Presumably option a) would result in a slightly weakened hive that still has foragers and a laying queen, and a small very weak hive that will need feeding as it has no foragers until the brood has hatched.
Option b) would mean the original hive would have increased foragers as eventually there would be a brood break (as in a true swarm) and the new hive would recover faster as the old queen should keep laying.
Pro and cons for each please |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
mannanin Scout Bee
Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 270 Location: Essex. UK.
|
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Are you looking to do this because you actually want to create another colony or are you trying to formulate a plan for if/when you find charged queen cells. If you simply want to create another colony, you can do this before you even see charged queen cells. It’s basically an even split. Take half of your brood combs, half of your stores and pretty much half of your bees (assume you don’t have the queen) and put them in a new hive, but put that new hive on the original site. Now take what’s left in the original hive (assuming with the queen) and move to the new location. The foragers will return to the old site of the now new and queen less hive. The new hive will continue as before with a laying queen and produce its own future workforce. You can also do this if you find charged queen cells of course.
WARNING! Don’t do this too early in the year! Make sure there is a good flow on and you should have no need to feed. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
AugustC Silver Bee

Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 613 Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
|
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 6:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well i do want more than one colony BUT mostly I am trying to gain a greater understanding of the dynamics behind the effects on the hive. I am expecting a strong nectar flow in the next month so want to be ready with as much knowledge as I can. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK FORUM MEMBERS - Buy your protective clothing here and get a special 15% discount! (use the code BAREFOOTBEEKEEPER at checkout and be sure to 'update basket')
Are the big energy companies bleeding you dry?
Is way too much of your hard-earned family income going up in smoke?
Are you worried about what could happen if the ageing grid system fails?
You need to watch this short video NOW to find out how YOU can cut your energy bills TO THE BONE within 30 days!
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW
|
Conserving wild bees
Research suggests that bumble bee boxes have a very low success rate in actually attracting bees into them. We find that if you create an environment where first of all you can attract mice inside, such as a pile of stones, a drystone wall, paving slabs with intentionally made cavities underneath, this will increase the success rate.
Most bumble bee species need a dry space about the size a football, with a narrow entrance tunnel approximately 2cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Most species nest underground along the base of a linear feature such as a hedge or wall. Sites need to be sheltered and out of direct sunlight.
There is a spectacular display of wild bee hotels here
More about bumblebees and solitary bees here
Information about the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)
|
|
|
Barefoot Beekeeper Podcast
|
|
|
|
4th Edition paperback now available from Lulu.com
|
site map
php. BB © 2001, 2005 php. BB Group
View topic - Splits - Natural Beekeeping Network Forum
|
|