Hive splitting

What is hive splitting?

Splitting is when a hive is divided to create a second colony. This can be done in the spring or early summer months when hives have a strong enough bee population as well as adequate food stores to support a second colony.

How to split your hive

You will need some equipment:

  • An empty hive the same size as the hive you are splitting

  • a blade or flat screw driver

  • a cloth

  • tape

How to split:

  1. Remove existing tape from around the hive.

  2. Place screw driver or blade in the gap between the two sections of the brood chambers on the hive.

  3. Lever the two apart, just enough that you hear a crack noise. Repeat this process on four corners of the hive.

  4. Gently remove the top half of the hive and place it on the empty bottom half of the hive you have brought.

  5. Do the same for the full bottom half of the hive.

  6. Tape the join between the two brood sections on both of the two boxes.

  7. Place them back in the position they were so as foraging bees can return to the hive.

Professional hive splitting

We provide the boxes and labour to split your hive in a safe, bee friendly manner. We have split 1000's of boxes and are happy to help with yours.