What to do now?

[kyfarmer]

I have a hive I started from a pkg this spring. This hive is going gang busters. It has produced 2 shallows of honey for me (one capped completly, the second is just about to be full). Our flow is ending now. By all accounts this hive has done great- many told me it wouldnt make any honey this year-esp starting all on foundation.

There are so many bees in there that when I pull off the supers (one coming off this saterday so a friend can extract it) it looks like they will be crowded. This hive currently is configured (top to bottom) shallow, shallow, QE, Medium, Deep. I know it is an odd mix, but I used what I had and someday I will go for meduims for everything.

I was thinking about adding a medium with foundation below the QE, or making a split. If I add a medium and have more stores from a fall flow and it speeds up brood rearing next spring will the hive get so big it will swarm? If I make a split I am concerned that I might mess up the hive for next spring ( I am a new beek who knows nothing ;))

What should I do, or should I pull off the shallows and sling out honey and stop being concerned?

[Highwoods John]

Leave them alone. The hive will naturally reduce its numbers before the winter. Splitting them now may jeopardize the success of both hives. Keep adding supers for more honey.

Split them in the spring if you so desire.

Thats my two cents.