How To Split A Beehive Without A Queen

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Splitting beehives allows us to increase our beehive numbers. This may not be the best way to split a hive, but there are times when it helps to know how to split a beehive without a queen. 

Normally we would prepare a few queen cells before splitting, or, order some queens in cages. This allows one to split a beehive in such a way that a queen is almost ready to take over the splits.

How To Split A Beehive

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Go to your hive, smoke it.

Splitting The  Beehives

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A week after you have made these splits have a look inside the hives. 

Inspecting The Hive

If you perform a split where you add a queen cell or a caged queen, the rate at which your splits recover and grow is faster.

The Best Way To Split A Hive

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The genetic diversity in the Cape Honeybee in this area allowed them to find some useful genes that helped them overcome and live with varroa. 

How Serious Is Genetic Diversity?

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ADVICE

Making splits and not adding queens purchased from low genetic diversity suppliers may cost you a few weeks egg-laying, but, it may allow you to begin to adapt your bees to your unique local conditions.

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