Division of colonies
The division of a colony is carried out for various reasons :
- increase of the colony stock,
- replacement of a dead colony that has become drone-laying,
- risk of swarming in a very strong colony,
- creation of nuclei for trade,
- or reserve colonies to compensate for expected losses in the following year …
There are many different and very simple methods for dividing hives.
The method described below works well :
Equipment and conditions
3 strong colonies with 6–7 brood frames containing eggs, open and capped brood, and 2 frames of food.
Presence of drones on the frames.
Favourable weather conditions with pollen inflow.
Procedure
In a 6-frame nucleus box, insert 2 outer brood frames plus bees from colony no. 1 and colony no. 2; a total of 4 frames + 1 frame with foundation + 1 division board (see diagram below).
Replace the removed frames in colonies no. 1 and no. 2 with frames fitted with foundation (total of 4).
Place the nucleus box in the position of colony no. 3, which is moved a few metres away. The nucleus box will thus receive the foraging bees from colony no. 3.
Ten days later, carry out the inspection: queen cells will very likely be present in the nucleus box on two or more frames. If so, divide this nucleus into two units, ensuring that both resulting colonies contain queen cells. Add one frame with foundation and one division board to one of the two new colonies so that it contains a total of 2 brood frames with at least one queen cell, 1 foundation frame and 1 division board; then feed with 50 % sugar syrup.
Wait three weeks before opening to check whether the queens in the two colonies are laying.
Colonies no. 1 and no. 2 will have drawn out the two foundation frames and can each receive a honey super. Colony no. 3 can also receive a super, as it has recruited additional foragers.
In the end, there are three colonies each with a honey super, and two colonies on three frames with their young queens in lay.
