Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: davers on February 13, 2015, 08:54:28 AM

Title: splitting too early?
Post by: davers on February 13, 2015, 08:54:28 AM
First year beek and everything here in N. California is starting to heat up.  Almond are blooming and temps are at 70F.  I have 2 deeps and a full honey super on currently.  Opened up the hive and found capped brood, open larva,  a few drone cells and pollen everywhere. Didn't see the queen(too many bee's)/ Bee's cover the top and lower deep. I want to split to avoid a swarm but if I wait until the queens are available it may be too late because there doesn't seem like there's room for the for the queen to lay. I added a medium super that just has foundation on under the top honey super.  What to do?  Could someone offer suggestions?
Title: Re: splitting too early?
Post by: jayj200 on February 13, 2015, 09:06:07 AM
taking out some of the honey works taking some of the pollen works. when you replace with empty comb. while your in the box divide it in two.

just saw a presentation on spliting. there are four types of spliting.

if you see the drones flying then one doesn't need a purchased queen they will make their own
Title: Re: splitting too early?
Post by: 10framer on February 14, 2015, 09:44:44 AM
can't advise you on california but swarm season is at least a month away down here.  we're in about a 3 week cold snap and my hives are mostly packed like yours with a good bit of brood.  i'm feeding today because it's supposed to make up to 60>