4.7.1 Combining colonies

All colonies in an apiary—whether production colonies or young colonies—should be strong and dynamic. This significantly reduces the risk of disease and offers not only better yield prospects but also requires less investment of time and money.

For this reason, small but healthy colonies should be maintained by combining them in spring or autumn with a stronger colony. This regrouping also increases the propensity for honey flow in spring and allows for a safe replacement of the queen within the colonies. In late autumn, when the bees have already formed their winter cluster, a colony should comprise at least five well-filled frames. If this is not the case, the colonies must be combined. A strong colony has much better chances of surviving the winter.