[laurelmtnlover]

My one TBH made it thru the winter. The bees look healthy,and a healthy number out flying, but not alot of bees on the combs inside. Still early, and they are bringing in pollen. I noticed some queen cells or supercedure cells, how to tell the difference. I didn't see the queen, but see lots of eggs. I want to plan for my next step to have two hives, would have built more this winter, but ski accident laid me up, still recuperating:s.. I have one empty tbh to fill.
Can I have some thoughts on preference? They may not even build up, but if this weather lasts like this, wow. It's been so nice. Glad to see them flying,
Carrie

 

[laurelmtnlover]

Thanks Mr Bush,
I wasnt going to feed, but they seem to lack the numbers right now. The weather is gorgeous and they're bringing in pollen and the queen is laying. Should I let them do they're own thing for a month or so then do the split?
Thanks
Carrie

 

[laurelmtnlover]

Yes, Dave, thanks, I hope to someday buy you both a cup of coffee.

Dave,
Do you think I should feed sugar water in anticipation of splitting? If I wasn't splitting, I would be inclined to let them do their own thing, with the weather being so great, but perhaps I should feed to build up with the intention of splitting? Then what, should I find the queen and move her to the new hive with some brood comb, or leave the queen in the old hive?

I have not seen her yet this year. Ithe weather turns rainy for a while I will feed regardless, but I'd like to produce hardy stock without feed.
cheers,
Carrie

 

[laurelmtnlover]

Dave,
I PM's you, but Im gonna put this out here. Dandelions are blooming, spring is in full gear. Ok, we decided that I am going to split into an empty new hive. It will be located very close to the other one, and I am going to move it in the future if the split succeeds. Is this how I proceed? --- Find the queen and move that bar to the new hive. Add a couple bars of brood and honey. (how many here?) Do I move the bars in the old hive together to take the place of the bars taken out? Then put empy bars in the end? I would think I need to move the brood in the old hive together to keep them from getting chilled. Do I need to worry about drone comb, or just use the presence of it as an indicator that it is time to split?
I couldn't find much on MB's site that applied to a TBH split , or Anarchy apiaries either.
Great spring here so far, isn't it?
Thanks
Carrie

 

[laurelmtnlover]

Yes, Dave, I will wait a couple more weeks and if the weather continues, I will then split. I think I got it now; your post was very helpful. I think I am going to move the split to a friends land in a suburban farm area. Should I split and move it right away then? Make the split, close it up, strap it up, put it into the pickup and move it? I'll feel alot better when it's done, lol.