Topic Thirteen - Splitting a Hive

- To learn how to split a hive
- To learn the advantages and disadvantages of splitting a hive
- To recognize when it is time to split a hive
- To be able to show how to split a hive
- To understand how to introduce a caged queen or capped queen cell into a hive
Key Words:
Split - a way to increase the number of colonies you have by taking frames of bees and brood from one hive and putting them in an empty hive box to start a new colony.
Queenless hive - when a beehive does not have a queen
Re-queening – when you take an old queen out of a beehive and put in a new queen

Why would I want to split my hive(s)?

When should I split my hive(s)?

What is the most important thing to remember when splitting a hive?

What could go wrong when splitting a hive?

How often can I split my hives?

What should I do if I cannot find the queen when I am splitting my hive?

Why should the queen be introduced slowly?

How long after I do my split will my new queen begin to lay eggs?