Splitting hives

Splitting hives is a proactive swarm management technique that involves dividing a strong colony into two or more smaller colonies. This artificially reduces bee density in the original hive and effectively eliminates the immediate swarm impulse. Hive splitting also creates new colonies and can increase apiary size. Splitting requires extra equipment and beekeeping knowledge. It is a more advanced swarm control method. Hive splitting is a DIY approach and requires extra hive bodies, frames, and either purchased queen cells or allowing the split colonies to raise their own queens. Extra hive equipment is essential for creating new colonies.