* Originally By: Int:[log in to unmask] * Originally To: Watchman * Originally Re: Making Splits * Original Date: 01-02-97 12:07 * Original Area: E-mail * Forwarded by : Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [log in to unmask] wrote: > > Hello All! > > Well, it's January now so I guess we frightened, apprehensive, new-bees > can start some threads on spring management! I am entering into my third > season of beekeeping, and have two hives, both started last year from 5 > pound packages. (I lost all ONE of my hives the year before to mites and > ignorance). The packages did very well last year, and seemed very strong > going into winter. I took my honey off early, (1st week in Sept.) and > left the fall flow for the bees, I also treated with Apistan as soon as > my honey was off and did not seem to have a great mite problem when I > closed up for the winter. Recent inspections on our recent 65-70 degree > days have revealed a lot of activity, and the hives still seem fairly > heavy with stores. > > My question is this. I plan to split both of my hives this year to head > of swarming and to increase my number of hives from two to four. I know > this is a VERY regional thing with times varying widely based on climate, > but I would appreciate some tips from you on how to proceed, what to look > for, and any horrifying/great success stories you may have. I plan to > review "The_Hive_and_the_Honeybee" for more tip/procedures, and would > also appreciate more reading suggestions. > > Thank you very much, for myself, and other beginners who will benefit > from this thread. > > Steve Creasy- > Maryville, Tennessee, USA > Prov. 24:13, 25:16 [log in to unmask] wrote: > > Hello All! > > Well, it's January now so I guess we frightened, apprehensive, new-bees > can start some threads on spring management! I am entering into my third > season of beekeeping, and have two hives, both started last year from 5 > pound packages. (I lost all ONE of my hives the year before to mites and > ignorance). The packages did very well last year, and seemed very strong > going into winter. I took my honey off early, (1st week in Sept.) and > left the fall flow for the bees, I also treated with Apistan as soon as > my honey was off and did not seem to have a great mite problem when I > closed up for the winter. Recent inspections on our recent 65-70 degree > days have revealed a lot of activity, and the hives still seem fairly > heavy with stores. > > My question is this. I plan to split both of my hives this year to head > of swarming and to increase my number of hives from two to four. I know > this is a VERY regional thing with times varying widely based on climate, > but I would appreciate some tips from you on how to proceed, what to look > for, and any horrifying/great success stories you may have. I plan to > review "The_Hive_and_the_Honeybee" for more tip/procedures, and would > also appreciate more reading suggestions. > > Thank you very much, for myself, and other beginners who will benefit > from this thread. > > Steve Creasy- > Maryville, Tennessee, USA > Prov. 24:13, 25:16 Honey production is directly proportional to the availability of nectar and honeybee population. Splitting your honeybee population will achieve pricesely that, reduced honey production by a big factor! You have to decide on what you want to have more hives or more honey! It might be wiser for you to buy package honeybees (notice that I always use the word honeybees as in contrast to just bees!) and go for the honey! (I love puns!) Economics, dear friend! Don't forget: If economics allow, come and visit the 54th AFC onvention at Norfolk, Virgina (USA) 15-18 Jan 97. HAPYY NEW YEAR. MERRY BEEKEEPING. Dr. Pedro P. Rodriguez Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454 Phone:757-486-1573 [log in to unmask] ... ISLAM: If stuff happens, it's the will of Allah. ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.20