Should I split the only hive I have or let nature take it's course?

[Bee2]

Hi, thanks for reading my message.

I only have one hive.
I had a problem last month of no brood and honey bound. I installed a new queen and the hive is doing very strong.
I put a shallow super of Bee-O-Pac on top but they have completely rejected it all season.
They "beard?" in the evening and I see that I have A LOT of bees.
When I went in the hive yesterday I found larve, capped brood and several queen cells which I removed. They were in various stages of development from larval to all-white "look like queens" pupae?
Anyways, I think they will swarm soon and I don't know if I should get a new hive body and split them up or do something else.
I live in Kansas City (it's HOT now) and I don't plan on extracting honey. My main goal is to have my girls survive the winter.
Thanks!

[iddee]

If they are in a single hive body, I would put another hive body on them and put half the frames in the new hivebody and replace them with empty frames. With 5 empty and 5 full frames in each hive body, they will draw out the remainder and have more stores for the winter. Then split in the spring.

I would take the bee-o-pac off until next year. I would also get another complete hive ready in case you do get a swarm, either from your bees or someone else's.

[ July 17, 2006, 09:41 AM: Message edited by: iddee ]

[Bee2]

Thanks.

I have two full deeps.

I guess I'll give up on the Bee-O-Pac.

I just don't know if I should start another hive this late.

[iddee]

I would start another hive body on this hive and split in March.

[louis1st]

I would not destroy the queen cells, instead I would do an artificial swarm using them.
maybe try to check again if they have made some new ones? the risk of them swarming could still be there anyway

This should give you 2 small colonies to go into next year, and would also reduce the risk of a natural swarm that you may loose in you are not around when it takes place

You may however have to feed both colonies after to ensure they go through the winter

If they are bearding; also try to increase the size of the entrance so they get more air in the hive