I am a second year beek with a single hive (one deep and one shallow) that I started from a package of Italians in April. (The components are left over from an established hive I bought from a local beek last year that never seemed to get going, likely due to a lot of rookie mistakes, and absconded.)
My hive seems to be boiling over with bees and I fear that the queen may be honey bound, as the deep is full of well-patterned brood (and honey and pollen) and the shallow is full of strictly honey. I also have one completely full honey super and have just added a second honey super.
1) When do I know it is time to make a split?
2) And if I DO make a split, when is the latest I should do so to make sure that both hives make it through the winter?
3) Or should I just add another deep to enlarge the brood chamber and make a split in the early spring?
4) Should I just be happy that I have a hive that is doing so well and keep adding honey supers?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
My hive seems to be boiling over with bees and I fear that the queen may be honey bound, as the deep is full of well-patterned brood (and honey and pollen) and the shallow is full of strictly honey. I also have one completely full honey super and have just added a second honey super.
1) When do I know it is time to make a split?
2) And if I DO make a split, when is the latest I should do so to make sure that both hives make it through the winter?
3) Or should I just add another deep to enlarge the brood chamber and make a split in the early spring?
4) Should I just be happy that I have a hive that is doing so well and keep adding honey supers?
Any feedback would be appreciated.