How to Split a Hive

In this video, Frank from Mann Lake demonstrates an easy method for splitting a beehive colony to prevent swarming.

(0:00) Prepare: Remove the lid and smoke the bees to drive them down.
(1:37)Transfer Frames: Shake bees off the frames, and transfer brood frames with pollen and nectar to a new box, ensuring the queen is not transferred.
(2:58) Add Queen Excluder: Place a queen excluder on the original box and replace the lid.
Wait to let the bees move: Allow an hour or more for nurse bees to move back up.
(5:58) Final Setup: Place the new box on a new bottom board. Strap it if moving to a new apiary, or use an entrance reducer if keeping it in the same location.
(6:43) Add a Queen: Introduce a new queen or let the bees raise one, based on the season and drone availability.

What Frank Mentioned:

Hive Kits

Queen Excluders:

Feed

Entrance Reducer:

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[bookworm]

The easiest split I've seen. I am only into this beekeeping about 6 months. I have one swarm trap with a small colony and two hives that seem to have captured two different swarms as well. I am going to wait at least a week before I open it. Thanks for an excellent video.

[brucegordon]

Simple, made sense, early enough with the added Queen to have two good sized hives.

[ElaineSorrell]

This is the best video I've seen on doing a split. You made it very easy to understand!! Thanks

[adkfoothills]

Thanks for doing this video. You made it seem very easy, rather than very confusing, and that's just what we needed. 🐝🐝

[nkybeekeeper]

Great video on how to split! Thank you!

[SB-tfde]

Great info, thanks. Greetings from Washington state!

[jeremysmith]

I am buying a few hives...and going to start with 2 hives of bees next year.. I am in northeast texas south east of Dallas ....What are the best bees to start with in this region.... Thanks for your videos they are amazingly helpful

[ebrune]

Could you have added a second deep back on top of the original colony?

[davidsoloninka]

Did u look in the purple box before doing the split?

[WilliamBryan-qq]

Wouldn’t it be better to leave the new split and take the one with the queen so that foragers flying back strengthen the new split?

[ericklingele]

Will you put another hive body on each or go straight to a super when they are ready?

[MightyMicrobes-]

How many frames of brood did you leave in the original box with the queen? I'm sorry, I must of missed that.