new beekeeper question

[jester7891]

I live on the New Jersey/Pennsylvania border and started with two hives on April 15.  One hive did quite well and even provided me with some honey.  I lost the queen early in the second hive but did not realize it right away (eventually found a laying worker).  Basically I got rid of all the bees in that hive (50% were drones), got a new queen and used some frames from the other hive to start a new colony.  This seemed to work for approximately one month but now the number of new bees, amount of honey and amount of pollen seemed to have decreased.  I opened both hives yesterday for routine inspection (they are separated by approximately 6 feet). As usual, the first hive was hopping; everything looked good.  The second hive had no real central area of activity.  I did not see a queen, any eggs or larvae etc.  There was no honey or pollen to be found.

I'm wondering if the larger hive raided the smaller hive and killed everybody off.  I'm guessing it is already too late in the season to do anything about a second hive (which is okay with me - I will concentrate on the other hive).  There were no signs of infections, infiltrations or other disturbances in the second hive.  All of the frames are empty but in otherwise good condition.  Bees just seem to be milling around.  The only other thought I have is splitting the good hive in half and allowing the second group of bees to raise a new queen.  I'm concerned that I will make it so that there will not be enough food for both colonies throughout the winter.   If I understand correctly, soon after the bees have been removed to the new hive, they will realize there is no more queen and will feed a baby bee/Queen-to-be a different amount of royal jelly (thus creating a new queen).  Comments and advice is greatly appreciated.
                                                Thanks,   Jester

[Michael Bush]

There is typically a dearth in the heat of summer and typically another flow in the fall when it rains again.  You can feed in the dearth if you want to boost them more for winter.  They will also get a chance to build up some more IF there is a fall flow.

[Moonshae]

Did you reduce the entrance on the second hive after you started it over? How long did you wait to re-inspect? Did you feed? Was there any capped brood to indicate the queen was there a week or two ago?

I wouldn't split the good hive into two at this point, especially if you aren't putting in a mated queen. By the time the new queen emerges and gets mated, there won't be enough time for them to build up stores and a population to get through the winter. Focus on getting the good hive fully fed and strong and through the winter, then take a few frames of brood and stores in the spring, and use them to make the new hive. Buy a queen to stick in a day after you make the split, reduce the entrance, and you'll be good to go.