24 : A Simple Method of Making Increase DIVIDING YOUR BEST COLONIES
A Simple Method of Making Increase
Dinah Sweet, MSc, Master Beekeeper, Dip Apic T
here are many reasons for wanting to increase the
number of colonies that you have, with the bonus of producing a few of your own young queens at the same time. Managing to do this from your best colony can be fairly straightforward and very rewarding. The method I advocate is called ‘pre-emptive swarm management’. It is the splitting of one large healthy colony into two or three smaller units before it has a chance to ‘think’ about swarming. I believe that it is important for all beginners to be self-sufficient in bees as there is still too much reliance on queen or package importation, with the risk of spreading new strains of pathogens. Keeping
to regionally adapted bees that suit your climate and locality is important and gives numerous advantages.
Timing is Important
The best time to split your colony depends on the weather and the colony’s development. It should have expanded to almost fill a brood chamber or more and contain a large amount of bees, brood and food. It should be healthy and vigorous. Depending on its size, the method described can be very successful.
An important consideration
We describe a simple method for splitting a colony to produce new colonies
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here is not to try to do too many splits from just one colony, as you will end up with a number of non-viable units too weak to survive. Trying to expand your apiary too quickly can only end in tears! Before attempting a split, there should be mature drones around and the colony should look as though it is almost ready to swarm, but has made no preparations yet. Usually the typical period is around May and June but if conditions are ideal, you could go for increase in late April.
Selection Criteria
Deciding on the best characteristics to select may depend on the reasons why you
Queens may be hard to find if they have not yet been marked. Look for a larger body with red/brown-coloured legs
started keeping bees in the first place. From about 20 or more hives there is a chance of selecting a number of good traits. However, with only one or two hives of your own, you may just have to go with the best one. I would put a gentle temperament high on my list of selection criteria. I especially like bees that are steady on the comb and do not race around like lunatics. Next, I would go for health and strength with no history of chalkbrood or nosema. Productivity of honey may also be a factor and for lots of honey you need lots of bees. However, when colonies are too prolific they
overproduce bees, even during adverse weather conditions, and quickly eat through their stores. Foreign bees (Italians) tend to have this trait. In my area, the ability to fly when it is drizzling is essential and also being frugal with winter stores is a good characteristic. Colonies that should be avoided are the ones that swarm twice a year, no matter how much room you give them. Supersedure (the ability to produce a queen without swarming) is an excellent trait but often means an inability to make lots of
May 2015 Vol 97 No 5
Dinah Sweet
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