In the great new book "Honeybee Democracy" by Thomas Seely the author says:

 

" . when a swarm leaves on its journey to a new home approximately one third
of its weight is a food reserve.  The bloating of the workers is not their
only conspicuous adjustment in anticipation of swarming.   The wax glands
.become hypertrophied in preparation for the intense wax secretion needed
for comb building at the new nest site."

 

Wouldn't this preswarming time be the optimal time to split a hive for the
beekeeper who wants or needs to get a lot of new comb drawn in a hurry?

 

Jeff Hills


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