Purpose and Timing of Splits

1 . What are the reasons to make splits?

Making splits is a great way to increase the number of colonies and to prevent swarming (instinctual behavior of all healthy colonies).

2 . Why should I split my colony in the spring?

• Helps the colony satisfy the desire to swarm.

• Allows the beekeeper to control the swarming instinct.

• Allows the beekeeper to choose the location and size of the new colony.

• Allows the beekeeper to maximize their best colonies (for example, splitting colonies with gentle bees, best honey producers, or low swarming urge).

3 . How does splitting with the old queen prevent or reduce swarming?

Removes excessive bees since overcrowding is one stimulus for the colony to swarm. Taking the old queen with the new split creates the sense of an “artificial swarm”. Full brood frames are a stimulus for swarming and removing these will decrease the urge to swarm.

4 . How does the work of Farrar impact your decision to split colonies?

Farrar found that 1 large colony produces more honey than 2 small colonies, therefore, splitting all your strong colonies into smaller colonies may adversely impact your honey crop.