Splitting Bee Hives in Spring

Springtime is when bee hives grow in population, and if splitting is not done, some beekeepers face the reality of swarming bees as they seek a new location beyond the apiary. Beekeepers want to prevent swarming when possible and may add a super or split hives. Smaller bee hives are more manageable and easier to protect against disease while monitoring and managing their overall health. Splitting bee hives creates more space, allowing new queens to rise up, and also breaks brood cycles, which can greatly reduce the risk of Varroa mite infestation in the hive.

April Flowers and Overcrowded Bee Hives

April is when most bees have built up the hive population, and this is the ideal time to split hives because the heaviest nectar flow hasn’t occurred yet. In the main hive, beekeepers remove one frame with brood and the bees watching over them, two frames with other bees, and empty frames. It is essential to include the queen bee in the frame; otherwise, the bees may swarm. The queen is the center of the beehive, and everything revolves around her. Although the original hive is left with no queen, there should be enough queen cells that can be raised to be the new queen. Both hives have what they need to grow stronger and provide for both colonies. The original hive should still produce honey. If there are any issues with a new queen not rising up in the original hive, queens can be purchased, or the hives can be rejoined temporarily.

Beekeeping is a dance in many ways, as dedicated beekeepers care for their hives and strive to do what they believe is best for the bees. If a beekeeper’s bees continue to swarm because they are overcrowded, they soon won't have any bees left to keep!

Splitting Bee Hives Before Spring Swarming

In spring, bees in nature will also swarm, and this is a busy time for beekeepers and humane bee removal companies as they help residents and business owners address a poorly placed beehive. Many people think swarms are permanent, but they typically go away on their own within a few hours, though they may stay in a location for a day or so. Swarms are not anything to worry about unless they are in a place that poses a risk to people. Swarms are temporary. As bees look for a new location, they swarm in clusters, which can be intimidating, and when they take to the sky, it can seem scary. Remember that bees are not aggressive in saws because they are not protecting their queen or their hive. They may get agitated when disturbed, but it is rare for people to find swarming bees threatening.

Protecting Homes from Swarms

Although bees are not aggressive in swarms, they are looking for somewhere new to build a hive. This is an opportunity to provide proof and ensure that the structure of homes does not have openings where bees may gain entry and begin to build within the structure. Bee hives in attics, basements, garages, and even inside walls are not unheard of. Bees want somewhere warm, protected from the elements, and where they can build and grow without disruption. Many news stories have highlighted giant beehives in walls, floors, and homes, regardless of where they are located.

Safe Bee Removal

When encountering a swarm that poses a hazard, or a beehive is in a spot it can’t stay, always choose a bee removal company that will use humane methods and find new homes for those bees. In California, bees are protected because of their critical role in pollination that begins in almond orchards every year. It is not recommended to use toxic sprays or powders from the hardware store, but some home remedies can deter bees without killing them. There is no reason to try to remove a large hive without professional assistance, and the risk is too high for anyone to do this on their own. Even a person who is not allergic to bee stings can end up in the hospital if stung multiple times by an angry beehive!