Creating a new colony during requeening involves careful planning and execution to ensure the success of both the original and new colonies. The process typically involves splitting a strong hive, transferring resources like brood and honey, introducing a new queen, and providing adequate support to the new colony. Key considerations include timing, location, and ensuring the bees have enough food and a suitable environment to thrive. Tools like a solar beeswax melter can also be useful for managing hive products during this process.
Key Points Explained:
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Splitting the Hive
- Select a strong, healthy colony with ample brood, honey, and worker bees.
- Remove 2-3 frames of brood (with nurse bees), 1-2 frames of honey/pollen, and shake additional bees into the new hive box.
- Leave the original queen in the parent hive to maintain its productivity.
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Introducing a New Queen
- Purchase a mated queen from a reputable producer, especially in areas with Africanized bees, to ensure desirable genetics.
- Follow proper queen introduction protocols (e.g., using a cage with candy plug) to prevent rejection by the colony.
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Relocating the New Colony
- Move the new hive at least 5 miles away for 5 days to reset the bees' orientation and prevent them from returning to the parent hive.
- Choose a location with similar environmental conditions (shade, wind protection, and proximity to forage).
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Providing Supplemental Support
- Feed sugar syrup (1:1 ratio) to help the new colony build comb and store resources, especially in the first year.
- Monitor for pests (e.g., varroa mites) and diseases, as a weaker colony is more vulnerable.
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Seasonal Timing
- Perform splits in spring or early summer when nectar flow is strong and colonies are naturally expanding.
- Avoid late-season splits, as new colonies may lack time to build winter stores.
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Post-Split Management
- Check the parent hive for queen cells and manage swarming impulses.
- Allow the new colony to stabilize before harvesting honey, prioritizing its growth.
By following these steps, beekeepers can successfully requeen and expand their apiaries while maintaining healthy, productive colonies.
Summary Table:
| Step | Key Actions | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Splitting the Hive | Remove 2-3 brood frames, 1-2 honey/pollen frames, and shake in extra bees. | Use a strong, healthy parent hive. Leave the original queen in place. |
| Introducing a Queen | Purchase a mated queen; use a cage with a candy plug for gradual introduction. | Ensure genetics are suitable for your region (e.g., avoid Africanized bee traits). |
| Relocating | Move the new hive 5+ miles away for 5 days to reset orientation. | Choose a location with shade, wind protection, and forage access. |
| Supplemental Care | Feed 1:1 sugar syrup; monitor for pests/diseases. | Weak colonies are vulnerable—prioritize health. |
| Timing | Split in spring/early summer during strong nectar flow. | Avoid late-season splits to ensure winter readiness. |
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