When Do i split

[Chris L]

Ok , i live in SC. I am wondering if i should split my hives now or later on after the winter.. when is a good time. If i split the hives now the new hive will have to work out its own comb. I do not have any spare comb aside. The only drawn comb they will get is the ones i put in there from the other hives...let me know whe you al lsplit your hives...and any suggestions
thanks
chris

[beegee]

I live in eastern NC and I'm planning on splitting my one hive next week, "IF" there are enough filled brood frames. I'll have to order a queen, as I don't have time for them to raise one.

The criterion, I think, is if you have a heavy population of bees and 10 frames of brood. If there is no nectar available, you'll have to feed them so they will draw comb. Goldenrod should be starting in another month or so.

What part of SC are you in?

[scott_dixon]

Someone have a step-by-step out there on doing the split? I added deeps to my hives about a month ago and they went into brood production over-drive.

[Michael Bush]

http://www.beesource.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000743.html

This is a very good description of a good method.

[Chris L]

BeeGee,
I live in columbia, where do you live in N.C. I am new to bee keeping so any advise will help. I have 5 hives. Are you going to do splits or are you going to do full 9 frame split.

thanks for your help
chris

[beegee]

Chris, I'm in Grifton, 70 miles east of Raleigh. I'm going to keep my broods at 10 frames. I'm a newby, too. I have just the one hive and I'm hoping to have 6-8 next February. I'll probably have to buy packages to start with. If I can build them up quickly, I hope to split those to 12-16.