spliting a hive

[Dookie]

Hi

Im really new to all this and am findind it hard. I have been put in charge of looking after the bee hives at the school that I work at. We have two hives one which has a really active group of bees and one that is empty except for new frames and wax. My problem is that my boss wants two active hives by the end of the year.

I was looking through the hive today (with the kids in my after school club) and noticed a queen cell, my question is: "is now a good time to separate them and what is the easiest way of doing it?", I will have to show 11year olds how its done

Thanks

 

[alldigging]

http://www.wbka.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/There-Are-Queen-Cells-In-My-Hive-WBKA-WAG.pdf

 

[bingevader]

Hello,
A colleague and I are running the hives at our school.
First off, do you know what kind of queen cell it is?
Swarm, emergency or supercedure?
If there's only one then I'd hold off doing anything until you are sure.
If it were an emergency or supercedure cell then it could mean a problem with your existing queen, in which case a split may not be a good idea at the moment.
Are you a member of a local club and do you have a mentor that you can ask to come and have a look?
The local club should have a swarm collection service, might that be an easier way to start up a new colony?
Cheers

 

[Dookie]

thanks for the quick responces, ive printed out the pdf and will read it. But how do you know what kind of queen cell it is? It has a queen in there already who is laying eggs, there is not much help about im on my own really, with you lot and a bunch of books

 

[wessexmario]

thanks for the quick responces, ive printed out the pdf and will read it. But how do you know what kind of queen cell it is?

The PDF you've been given tells you in depth.

 

[Erichalfbee]

But how do you know what kind of queen cell it is?

Swarm cells tend to be produced in numbers and are often at the bottom of the frames. They vary in age. Emergency cells are produced on the face of the comb, based on worker cells and are the result of queen loss. Not applicable to you as you have sight of the queen and eggs. Supersedure cells tend to be produced away from the queens usual area(obviously to keep them hidden from her), a favourite place is hidden along a side bar on the outer frames of the brood nest.
They are few in number, often next to each other and all the same age.
But then again.....bees do nothing invariably.
Does that help?

 

[midnight sun]

Hi


Im really new to all this and am findind it hard. I have been put in charge of looking after the bee hives at the school that I work at. We have two hives one which has a really active group of bees and one that is empty except for new frames and wax. My problem is that my boss wants two active hives by the end of the year.

I was looking through the hive today (with the kids in my after school club) and noticed a queen cell, my question is: "is now a good time to separate them and what is the easiest way of doing it?", I will have to show 11year olds how its done

Thanks

Welcolme
I am a little surprised at the post. It seems you have had the charge of 2 hives thrust upon you with the demand from your 'boss' that he wants 2 active hives by the end of the year.
Well perhaps your boss should have a go him/herself before making stupid demands like that. It is obvious that the 'boss' knows very little about bees in my opinion. The bees will not just oblige a request like that. You have not given much detail as to the size of the main hive or it's type, number of frames of brood, seems of bees etc. and so people on here are going to struggle to give you help without more information. It has been a poor year so far for many and the bees have not built their numbers up as fast as we had hoped. Things may improve but no one can control the weather.
I suggest that you seek out your local beekeeping association and get some help from them. ( Google beekeeping association for your area) I am sure they would be only too willing to step up to the mark for the sake of the bees. Becoming a member and going to meetings and classes run by the association will be invaluable.
Trying to 'learn' beekeeping via forum is not the best method (it's being tried right now with limited success), to get to grips with what you need to know to become successful. I know people on this forum will do their best to assist you when needed, but you would benefit from an association membership as you would probably get a mentor to get you on the right track.
I hope I have given you a starting point and good luck with your project. Keep reading the postings on here as it is a very good forum and a wealth of information. (not to mention a few characters)
Regards

 

[dn170221]

re the two hives you could point out to your boss the cost of a nuc of bees and state that if you get a chance and there is opportunity you will make a split, but if he wants two hives guaranteed he should let you know what funds are available.
May not produce much of a result but should let him realise your worth.

 

[Tremyfro]

Our local primary school started an apiary last summer. The parents assn paid for training, equipment etc....now I heard the 4 colonies died out. It's so sad for the bees. The teachers who did the training were keen to begin with but the bees were a bit aggressive and I think they just left them alone. It would be so much better to offer the apiary site to a local beekeeper...who is happy to do a little demonstration for pupils in return for an out apiary.
The advice offered previously is good advice. Don't try to go it alone...if things go wrong a buddy is a real help. Also, all the lifting etc is hard work!

 

[BeeJayBee]

I'm inclined to agree with the others. It's hard enough beginning beekeeping in your own apiary after doing a beginners course having apiary training and with some local support. It sounds as if you've volunteered to take on the job, but with zero training and no mentor. The internet is useful but it can't ever replace on the spot help, especially in your situation.

You do need some support and should at least join your local association where you might find somebody willing to mentor you, and who might even share the job of looking after the school apiary during the school holidays.

Admitting you need some help and training isn't an admission of failure, it's being honest and means the bees have a better chance of making it through next winter.

Good luck.