Making Splits: How to Multiply Your Colonies

Making splits is the simplest way to create new colonies, curb the swarming urge, and reduce the varroa load at the same time.

What is a split?

A split is an artificially created sub-colony made up of combs, bees and – depending on the method – a queen or queen cells. It develops into an independent colony.

The best time

May and June – when the colonies are strong, drones are flying and the mood for swarming is in the air. Splits can effectively channel the swarming urge.

Step by step: a simple split

1. Remove 1–2 sealed brood combs from the mother colony (with the bees still on them)
2. Add a food comb and an empty comb
3. Place them in a new hive (nucleus box)
4. Either introduce a mated queen or add a queen cell
5. If the split stays at the same site, close the entrance for 2–3 days with a ventilation screen so the bees reorient

Important: Set the split up at least 3 km away from the mother colony, otherwise the foraging bees will fly back.

Checking after 4 weeks

• Is the queen laying? Can you see young larvae and eggs?
• Is the brood nest even and solid?
• Is there enough food?

Benefit for varroa treatment

Splits are usually broodless for a few weeks – the ideal time for an oxalic acid treatment with very high efficacy.