Hey All,
This has been a popular topic in Central Oregon bee forums I feel like as of late. I've got several very successful booming overwintered hives as of two weeks ago (8-10 frames of brood/eggs). No swarm cells yet, saw some queen cups here and there). So, I'm thinking about splitting of course, I've never done it. I usually just wait till Queens are available in May and requeen and manage there space available by adding supers which has always prevented swarming for me.
This year, with so many hives doing so well so early I'm tempted, but as everyone knows locally available mated queens are hard to come by (I'd plan on purchasing queens for splits and not having them raise their own). I'm hoping to prevent swarming with the first honey flow starting in a couple weeks, well some of it has already started here in the Orchard district (not for my Tumalo hives yet though) the only thing keeping things calm I feel like is the fickle weather.
Just curious on any advice, thoughts or ideas on the matter.
Thanks hive mind!
-Kevin
