Hive Splitting

[neal]

I have a few very strong hives, and was thinking of splitting some. Is it a good time to do this here in Upstate SC?

[Finski]

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How many boxes?

Strong hives makes strong yields. Splitting just spoils the honey yield.

[FRAMEshift]

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How many boxes?

Strong hives makes strong yields. Splitting just spoils the honey yield.

Doesn't that depend on how you do the split?  If you take out the queen and a few frames of brood, honey, and pollen and leave all the foragers with the original hive, that would not decrease the honey yield would it?

[Finski]

that would not decrease the honey yield would it?

You are right. I never know what those beginners try. After main yield you jay devide hives to whole boxes. But of course new queens need mating nucs.

[FRAMEshift]

I have a few very strong hives, and was thinking of splitting some. Is it a good time to do this here in Upstate SC?

I'm no expert, but until one comes along....... I think you ideally want to split before a big flow so that all hives have the best chance to build up before winter.  In upstate SC you have a long fall season but  do you have a good flow in the fall?  Here in NC we have a flow on right now, but there is probably a dearth coming in a couple of weeks.  If you split and then go into dearth, be sure to supply all the splits with honey and pollen from other hives.