Contemplating some summer splits

[specialkayme]

I've got a few hives that are double deeps and stocked well. I'm considering splitting each of the double deeps into two singles with mated queens. Looking for a little input on the timing (or if I should not at all).

Historically, I've done most of my splits in May at the latest. June I allow them to reorganize their brood nest if I screwed it up. In July, with the dearth, I usually don't go near them. Splitting in July in the past has caused huge problems, as with little or no nectar going on, I've had large losses on splits from robbing and dwindling. So I'm usually hesitant to split in July.

But this year I'm still getting a trickle well into July, when I usually don't. August usually starts tripping some fall flows, lightly in my area. Brood rearing has slowed slightly, but hasn't stopped like it has in years past. More brood gives me caution that fall swarms may come, which may result in lost colonies.

I'm considering either:
1. Splitting now, and letting them do their thing
2. Waiting till Middle of august to split, and feeding heavily, or
3. Just going into winter with double deeps

I'd prefer not to go into winter with double deeps, as with the larger populations I have greater chances of either late 2013 swarms or early 2014 if I don't catch it right. Plus they tend to eat more and use up more stores, and in this area I don't think double deeps are needed. I'd prefer to go into winter with singles with mediums over top. But the timing of this year's weather has me concerned. Normally things have shut down nectar wise a few weeks ago, while it's still going. Splitting now has risks that we may get a dearth in august and I lose the splits. Or brood production may slow or cease after I split, which spells disaster. But I could use the higher hive counts.

Thoughts any? What do you normally do? What are your plans this year?

[Jacobs]

I think a lot depends on how closely you watch your hives. If you split now with mated queens, there is plenty of time for brood build up and to evaluate queen performance. The ongoing problems will be making sure there is plenty of nectar/sugar water to promote brood rearing while dealing with the increased temptation of stronger hives to rob out weaker ones. I would not want to leave nectar needs to chance. Either feeding from the outset or a reasonably aggressive hive tipping schedule would be in order. Also, I would consider reducing entrances significantly or using robber screens, and would definitely use the robber screens if I were going to start sugar water feeding. If I feed this time of year using a top feeder, I would want to do it as late in the afternoon/early evening as possible to give less daylight for robbing if the smell of the open hive/sugar water triggers it.

I am less fearful of fall swarms than going into winter with weak hives. The fall swarms I have seen have been tiny swarms that may be failed (eg. SHB slimed) hives, starving hives (by being robbed out or by dearth) or leave in small numbers for some other reason.

I don't know if this gives you the information you were looking for, but if not, post on.

[specialkayme]

It may give me a little more concern, lol.

Heavy feeding and aggressive tipping has always caused robbing this time of year for me. I haven't seen it yet this year though. But if splitting requires feeding heavily and constant opening, it may spell gloom and doom for the splits if the dearth hits. Robbing screens are a must, for sure, if I do.

I usually don't see swarms as late as June, with most revolving around April 1 to mid May. This year I had 3 hives swarm mid June. I've also noticed some back filling of the brood nest starting about two weeks ago. Backfilling of the brood nest, plus late swarms, plus no dearth may result in August swarms when some of the fall nectar producers kick in. Splitting would stop this, as I don't get a fall crop and wouldn't "lose" any honey production by the smaller populations. And I mean smaller as in not the monster that some of them are right now (I think 4 fall into that category now).

I would agree about your concern about strong colonies. But some of these are strong enough that I feel comfortable that I could split in half, feed, and still be strong and healthy enough to overwinter.

So what would you do if you were me Jacobs?

[Jacobs]

All beekeeping is local, and this may be a circumstance where it is REALLY local. I have bees in new locations this year and will have to see what they do, but I have never had such a large problem with backfilling after the main flow that it led to late swarms. The bees seem to be able to move the nectar or consume it if it is not rolling in. If your fall flows have been that strong, you may want to make your splits and add a super on the top of each hive to get the additional space and additional feed for the bees.

If you are making true splits and have significant amounts of honey/nectar to put on both hives, you may not be looking at heavy feeding, but as the brood builds, it may become necessary. Then you would need to take your serious anti-robbing measures. You have to make the decision about splitting. I would be hesitant if I were leaving it to the hive to re-queen. That would be the major problem with making splits now. The feeding/robbing issues are somewhat speculative, and again, if you keep a close eye on your hives, can be dealt with. I deal with my backyard hives differently from my "away" hives since I am in a better position to spot and stop trouble after having taken some action at home.