When I do splits, I will set up the split configuration(2-4 frames of brood
per box) and stack the entire hive (all splits taken from parent hive) back
together the day before I move them. This allows the nurse bees to balance
out over the brood. Putting the frames of brood in the same place in each
box will help ( i.e. the middle three frames of each box). The next day at
daylight, before the bees are flying, I set the splits down individually on
pallets or bottom boards and move them at least 3 miles away so the field
force won't go back to the original hive. Using queen cells, I like to wait
a day or so before introducing them to the hive so they will realize they
are queenless. I believe it will probably be the same for live queens. I
don't know it will matter what time of day you introduce the queens. Maybe
others with more experience with live queens will be more help with that
question.
----- Original Message -----
From: eparker <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 1999 8:30 PM
Subject: Split Time?


> Hello all,
> I'm going to split a couple hives tomorrow. I will introduce a caged =
> queen and move the splits about a mile up the road. My question is, =
> should I do this in the afternoon when bees are in the field or in the =
> evening when most of the bees are in the hive? I think I read to do it =
> in the evening, but now I can't find where I read it.
> Thanks for any help.
> Ed Parker
> Serenity Gardens
>