I just built three nucs and intend to make summer splits to overwinter with. I am thinking of letting them make their own queens from eggs or swapping a frame with queen cell(s) on it. Another option I am thinking is getting some new queens from Russell Apiary ($25 - $50ea). What is the least amount of bees that can be used to create a split?
BTW, I have installed packages and moved nucs into hives without a problem. However, I haven't done a split before so I would like to know the greatest odds to be successful. I don't want to waste my resources.
Quote from: ccar2000 on May 23, 2011, 10:28:38 PM
What is the least amount of bees that can be used to create a split?
You are asking two questions. The least amount of bees that can be used for a split with some chance of success is one frame of brood along with a frame of honey/pollen. But the odds are not good.
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I would like to know the greatest odds to be successful. I don't want to waste my resources.
Now this is the right question. The larger the split, the better the chances of success. I would say 3 frames of brood and two frames of honey/pollen will give a good chance of success and also allow the largest number of splits with the given resources. If you split during the spring flow, you new nucs will have time to build up before winter. If you wait till later, you will want larger splits to give you the critical mass to make it through winter. I favor letting the bees raise their own queen.
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Crowd your hive or remove the queen for a while. They will make queen cells and you can pull frames with queen cells that way. I place 1 frame with a queen cell and one frame of honey into a single section of my queen castles and let them make their own queen. 2 frames for a while until they are kicking good then I move them into a 5 frame nuc. Moved some last week that were from swarm cells earlier in the spring.
Also Hardeman Apaiaries has queens for 14.75 each for the spring. And prices always drop mid summer for summer bees.
why spend money on queen when you can get your own.it sounds like you have more than one hive,if so this is what i would do.i will take the queen out of a hive and place her with 2 frames of caped brood with the bees that is on it 1 frameof honey and pollen and a drawn out frame.i would place that in the nuc and let the main hive make their own queen,just make sure the hive has eggs and young larve.you can also shake some bees in the nuc . ...schawee
Ditto on what schawee said. Too strong a split without room to expand at this time of year is asking for multiple swarms. Now if you plan on splitting into 10 frame boxes.........
Scott
http://www.bushfarms.com/beessplits.htm (http://www.bushfarms.com/beessplits.htm)
Splits are fun to do..planning on doing some more at the end of June.
Just use the advice above and all will be well.