[log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask])  wrote: "2/3  of my 
hives are honey/pollen producers.  1/3 are hives to be split to  replace 
losses.   Spring splits are for the following year's honey  production, late 
splits are for build up hives the following  year."
 
Richard,  What do you do about queens?  Do you let the splits  raise their 
own queen or do you purchase mated queens or queen cells?  What  number of 
colonies did you start with and what number do you have now after how  many 
years.  When you split, how many frames (deeps?) do you use to make  the 
splits?
 
[log in to unmask] (mailto:[log in to unmask]) : "Three years is  
the magic number.  After that they hit a wall as a direct result of  varroa."
This is basically what I have found but I  have had a couple of  colonies 
survive up to 6-7 years or so untreated.  I am in an "isolated"  location.  


Dave MacFawn

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