Go with the natural instinct of the bees in the spring to reproduce by splitting your hive!
We will focus on two simple splits that make the most sense for backyard beekeepers: making a nuc and making a walk-away split. We will cover:
- how to make an easy split & which months work best
- how bees make new queens & the timeline of queen mating
- what can go wrong and how to fix it
- tips for learning how to see your queen, as it's easier to make a split if you know where she is
- how to insert a queen cell into your split
This class focuses on what works in the SF Bay Area environment (an urban area with close neighbors and a mild, Mediterranean climate).
Benefits to Splitting Your Hive in the Spring
There are many benefits to splitting your hive in the spring (March-May):
- Swarm Prevention: Allows your bees to reproduce, but in a more controlled way than your bees swarming. Swarms often fly away and deplete your bees (not to mention anger your neighbors), whereas the splits you keep or give away.
- Redundancy: Gives you extra hives and queens in case one hive has problems.
- Mite Reduction: Some splits reduce mites greatly by causing broodless periods and can save you a mite treatment in May or June.
Who is this class for?
- Beginners who haven't made a split yet
- Experienced beekeepers who have split before and who need tips, tricks, and advice
Self Study Course Includes over 4 Hours of Lecture and Q&A by Jennifer Radtke
Intro & Splitting Basics
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The Queenmaking Process
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How to Make a Basic Split or Nuc
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- How Big Does Your Hive Have to Be to Split (7:14)
- How to Make a Super Easy Split (just take a box away into a split) (10:32)
- How to Make a Nuc (Recommended for your first splits) (23:34)
- Putting the Nuc in Your Yard or Moving It Away (Getting the Foragers or Not) (12:32)
- How & When to Check on Your Nuc for Queen Cells & Queen Mating (11:46)
- Quick Review & Comparison of Making Basic Splits, Plus Common Problems & Solutions (16:38)
Variations on Splits
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- Tour of Queen Cell Photos & What They Mean (13:09)
- Adding a Queen Cell or Mated Queen into a Split (Why & How) (17:40)
- Benefits of a Broodless Period (Varroa Mite Reduction) (3:08)
- How to Make a Nuc WITH the QUEEN (& How to Spot the Queen) (22:13)
- Making a Split Without Having More Hives Longterm (2:35)
The Aftermath of Splitting (Queen Mating, Laying Worker, & Combining Hives)
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Questions & Answers at End of Class
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Bonus Materials
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Instructor: Jennifer Radtke
Jennifer Radtke has been keeping bees in her backyard for 20 years, and has developed the beekeeping education program at the BioFuel Oasis Cooperative. She keeps up with her bees’ growth in early spring and splits her hives every year around April 1st (& sometimes a second time at the end of May).
