Should I split and if so how

1730 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by WRLCPA, Jun 19, 2014

WRLCPA

Discussion Starter · Jun 18, 2014

I posted parts of this in another thread but thought it deserved it's own

So, a little history.

I have a hive that was a package that superseded the original queen successfully.
I added two frames of brood in a deep above the original medium because numbers were low. I had planned all foundationless mediums but added the deep to accommodate the brood frames.

Yesterday, I inspected the hive and found two queen cells, both at the bottom of the new comb in a new deep foundationless frames that was not yet fully drawn.
As I was looking it over, I spotted the queen. Also, saw eggs, open larva, and capped brood in the hive, as well as capped drown cells.

I am not really worried about this, because in my very short humbling experience with bees, I have learned 1 important lesson, The bees will do what they need to do.

Should I contemplate a split? The hive has struggled tremendously in the past so I am not sure two smallish hives would be the right thing

Thanks everyone once again. Seems every time I open the hive, I have more questions.

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garyprunty

· #2 · Jun 18, 2014

Is the hive populous?

if it's got high density bees then make a split

maybe something happened to this new queen and they're replacing her again (that would be incredibly unfortunate)

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WRLCPA

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 18, 2014

garyprunty said:
(that would be incredibly unfortunate)

My life as a beekeeper so far.

1 Deep 3/4 full of bees

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garyprunty

· #4 · Jun 18, 2014

I wouldn't split

When did you install the package?

if they superceded they probably really haven't reached that critical buildup mass yet and splitting would put them even farther behind

I'd put a medium on top and wait

It doesn't sound like they're ready to swarm

Have you been feeding? Is there a place for the queen to lay?

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Wolfer

· #5 · Jun 19, 2014

I would let nature take its course.

I recently raised ten queens. Their window for mating flights happened during constant rainy days. Most laid up two or three frames of brood before being superseded. Still have 4 left and a couple unknowns but I'm confident all will fail shortly.

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Riverderwent

· #6 · Jun 19, 2014

"Should I contemplate a split? The hive has struggled tremendously in the past so I am not sure two smallish hives would be the right thing"
I would not.

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WRLCPA

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 19, 2014

I didn't think so, but I not smart enough yet to make those decisions by myself.

Answers to some other recent question. She seems to be laying just fine, plenty of room so long as the girls build new comb, which they really have not till recently

Feeding constantly since My 8th when package installed.

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Jackson

· #8 · Jun 19, 2014

Does the cells contain larvae or is it empty? If it does not have any larvae in it then maybe those are just preparatory 'just in case' Queen cups and nothing to worry about.

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WRLCPA

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 19, 2014

Jackson said:
Does the cells contain larvae or is it empty? If it does not have any larvae in it then maybe those are just preparatory 'just in case' Queen cups and nothing to worry about.

These guys are about 12-14 days old, fully capped and browning. I will inspect this evening to see whats happening, but I am not planning on interfering. If worse comes true and they swarm rather than supersede, I will take what's left of the hive, remove any remaining queen cells, and divvy up the frames between my remaining two nuc's and hope for two strong hive for the winter.

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