Splitting to multiply

[Clemcook]

Hi all,

What is the easiest way you would recommend I split my two strong, hives which are on double brood?

I would be interested in a method using a Queen bought in and raising my own.. I wouldn't trust the post at the moment though.

I've split successfully before but only when it's to prevent a swarm and there have been queen cells present.

I've tried adding a frames of brood, honey and nurse bees to a nuc before but they never produced any of their own queen cells

Thanks
Clementyne

 

[enrico]

Just split the double brood provided they both have brood and food. Leave the one with the queen in on the original site. The other will produce queen cells. Same method as nucs but they should have produced cells if they were strong enough and had eggs

E

 

[Wingy]

Just split the double brood provided they both have brood and food. Leave the one with the queen in on the original site. The other will produce queen cells. Same method as nucs but they should have produced cells if they were strong enough and had eggs

E

Exactly that, keep it simple

 

[Clemcook]

Thanks, the queen is unmarked, what would be the safest method to find her?
Thanks

 

[enrico]

Move then hives and then go through the one in the old location first. Then the one in the new location.
If all else fails the one that has eggs in after three days has the queen. 50/50 chance!!!
E