How to split a Beehive Easiest method by Tim Durham

[@Jknudsen0523]

Man I love your simple, concise commentary. I'm new and wanting to get into bees, I could understand everything you said, other books and videos are beyond my comprehension because of beek terminology. Thanks for taking the extra time to explain it all. Looking forward to more videos.

[@robertstwalley3662]

spring is coming, really it will be a couple months but I never get tired of watching you Tim. I watch you stuff over and over again, always learn something new. probably watched this video 4 times now in the last few years. Thanks for all the help.

[@WallsBeeMan]

I do appreciate that so stay in touch & if you have any questions, let us know.......tim

[@WaltWW]

Thank you for the great information, I subscribed immediately when you said Cotton Pickin’ Phone. I knew you spoke a language I was familiar with.

[@WallsBeeMan]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@rdgpowers1]

Hi Tim The split I did using your video has turned out really well, I didn't add a new queen just let the bee's make their own. Thanks again your videos really help. Cheers Rob

[@juanlabuschagne1655]

OK so no new queen needed?

[@happy2LFG]

@@juanlabuschagne1655 It is my understanding that when splitting the hives, you need to make sure one of the frames has some Queen cells on it. I am a newbie, so double check but that’s what another video explained.

[@silentlytriggered9001]

@@happy2LFG yeah its Definity better if there is new queen cells....but some hive make it very late....in such cases you can simply take some frames of bees which have eggs and in the place of old hive you place new hive....and put old have about 2 ft farm from the hive......then the bees which are outside will be divided perfectly......it worked perfectly for me

[@Tj-ot4jp]

Tim you're a legend, i'm into my 3rd year now and your videos were the 1st i came across, always coming back to watch for reference info, thanks again.

[@WallsBeeMan]

that is very nice and thank you.........tim

[@beebob1279]

Just found your video. Nice job. A pollinator friend of mine taught me many different ways to split a hive and yours is one of them. Simple is often the key to success.

[@annmartin1892]

You’re a hoot! I don’t know how many times I laughed! I’m new at this and plan on splitting my hive. This makes so much sense and easy. Thanks!

[@WallsBeeMan]

You can do it! thank you & I just posted a new video

[@colincourier]

New bee keeper and was worried about getting stung!.You just take in your stride.i"m now looking forward to my first year with my bees in the UK,many thanks for your laid back attitude to your colony.but i definitely will not be wearing my Shorts an T shirt,Brilliant guy and thank you.

[@richardhaen]

Very good video sir. I watched this years back, I do the same way but I put my new box at the end of my hives, install with a new queen never had them fly off. A few might go back to the old hive but not many. Thanks

[@jerrysherman670]

Used your method works 100% THANKS

[@WallsBeeMan]

Welcome 👍

[@WimkeSchnitger]

this video makes me so happy, no nonsense, just plane old amarican bee keeping. Thank you Tim

[@WallsBeeMan]

Well, my goodness. How nice.................thanks..tim

[@cricketscorner6514]

We started last week combining capped brood into 2 boxes with one deep super we dont use excluder but will next spring to have cut comb , you have a great setup and don't look like a beginner keep up the great work.

[@WallsBeeMan]

thank you.......tim sr

[@bbarrs400]

Thanks Mr. Durham! I am splitting a box like this, this afternoon. I will have a new queen for it on Tuesday. I have learned a lot by watching your videos and really appreciate you taking time to do them.

[@taniabing8571]

hi Tim, good to hear from you. Good to see you don,t go out to get stung to much. look forward to hearing from you in the futute. Re Darren

[@jeffkotalik6169]

Thanks Tim Just did my first split. Video very helpful. Did it the way you instructed except moving it away. Moved about 3 ft from the original hive. Put queen in and checked 3 days later, she was released and bees excepted her. Thanks again for all your great videos.

[@WallsBeeMan]

thanks and that is wonderful.......tim

[@GoldiefromMahia]

I live on the east coast of New Zealand. Have 2 New queens arriving tomorrow. I will use your method.. thank you

[@WallsBeeMan]

Good luck! thanks for the New Zealand

[@waysidefurniture2616]

Thanks for all your videos! I've learned so much from you! I'm a second year beekeeper from West Virginia. I've been spending the off season building hives, nucs, and swarm traps. Thanks for all the informative videos! Merry Christmas!

[@1989happii]

Oh man you are one of a kind. Great job sir, you are doing beautiful work. please keep up the good work

[@georgebaumann1]

You are just plain awesome! I love watching your videos. Sorry but your reaction each time you got stung had me chuckling. Very educational bee keeping information keep them coming

[@WallsBeeMan]

I appreciate that and I do enjoy making the videos knowing it helps someone....stay in touch. tim

[@bryanpratt5850]

That’s the real deal right there. Easy peasy! Thanks for the encouragement and the info.

[@WallsBeeMan]

thank you & I just posted a new video

[@michaelbergen92]

Thanks for the info! You're one of my favorite sources of information on beekeeping. I really want to buy you a bee suit lol

[@2brujoman]

***** You're a brave man to work with your bees in shorts and a tank top. My bee veil hat is off to you! LOL

[@DR-zj4od]

What I learned the most? Wear protective equipment... He did show an easy split and did a god job at that.

[@WallsBeeMan]

thank you & I just posted a new video

[@badams48]

Your video is very informative. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. Is there a way to avoid moving the new beehive 2 miles away? I would a appreciate your comments.

[@Leelz247]

Using the queen excluder and having the BEES do the work for you. Very smart!!

[@WallsBeeMan]

Thank you......tim

[@buildingwithtrees2258]

Good information! I see a commercial guy doing this, kinda. They shook all the bees out of the #2 brood box, put the excluder on, and came back next day. Then made splits into nucs.

[@WallsBeeMan]

Yes and there are different way...tim

[@jamesblakesley3213]

Tim Durham i love ur beekeeping KZbin video's even & experienced beekeeper like me can always learn something

[@WallsBeeMan]

Beekeeping is something a beginner can enjoy and learn something they do not know and a beekeeper who had bees for years can always learns something. There is a lot that man does not really understand about bees. Thank you & stay in touch..........tim

[@jimkovac915]

I like the way you trim off all that burr comb. I need to start doing that.

[@thegolfbat1]

Tim I always look forward to discovering your stuff. I am new to beekeeping and think your films are very easy to follow. That makes thing much easier to work with, even for us Limey's over the water. I have shown a couple of your films to my Bee buddy George Newton who has over 60 years of beekeeping under his belt. He commented that you are not far off in what you say. believe me that is some comendation if he though ya wrong he would say so. So keep em coming mate.

[@ccff-youngfilmmakerscompet9592]

You are amazing! I need to do a split and your video was both informative and entertaining. Maybe I'll be brave enough some day to work without a suit! Thank you!!!

[@henryparrott2447]

Love all your show ❤ I've learned so much here. Jokes R great 👍

[@WallsBeeMan]

Glad you like them! thank you & I just posted a new video

[@walterbyrd8021]

Great video...well done! Must be good gentle bees...I've got only two hives left after losing six due to SHB and whatever else! Those two hives are the gol durndest meanest little boogers I've ever had to work with...BUT THEY SURVIVED. I am going to do this very split this year and buy some new, gentle Italian queens, from Weaver probably, at Navasota.. Best wishes

[@irishmick27]

Thanks for the vids Tim. Watched most of yours and learned quite a bit.

[@jamesblakesley3213]

Tim Durham my mom is a long Time beekeeper to she has been a beekeeper for 50 year's she told me how often to open behves after splits it was exactly what u told me lol

[@WallsBeeMan]

Now it is rare for two beekeepers to agree on something. Tell your Mom hello........tim

[@crm9031]

Thank you for showing how to do this. I'm going to try it next week.

[@WallsBeeMan]

let us know how it goes

[@BeightonBeekeeper]

Tim, you are a star ! Love your videos. Is there a Tim Durham fan club ? I'd join in a flash !

[@WallsBeeMan]

Well, I don't know about that......I just enjoy helping beekeepers and everyone can use a laugh....tim

[@jovosedlar]

thank you very much WallsBeeMan Durham for your advice. I can't wait to try it out. sometimes the queen is near impossible to find and your method simplifies it a lot. good luck and thanks again.

[@333johno]

Your a great guy, thanks for the info, you are one of the best on here, lots of knowledge, much appreciated, :)

[@WallsBeeMan]

thank you so much.............tim sr

[@rdgpowers1]

Hi Tim I have dohe a split according to your video and was wondering how long before I should wait to have a look.Thanks for all the videos it really helps beginners like me.

[@johnbalogna803]

Brave man wearing shorts while messing with the bees. I think it be more worried about other parts b4 I worried about getting stung on the ear lol. All kidding aside thanks for the great videos and sharing your knowledge with us new to bee keeping.

[@kristinchester380]

Thanks for all your videos! You are so genuine and helpful and it has been such a great help to me and my friend who just started our first hive together 2 months ago! We started with a 4 frame nuc, installed in a 10 frame Langstroth deep. We've just recently added our 2nd deep hive box and the bees are multiplying so quickly! We haven't been able to identify the queen yet, but thanks to your videos we've picked out lots of larvae and eggs in desirable patterns, so we know she is doing well! We really wish we had started with 2 hives since it would've been easier to compare and contrast. And although it seems to be a little too late this year to give them a good chance at surviving our Indiana winters, we hope to execute our first split (much like you've done in this video) late next Spring. 2 Questions: 1) The honey super that you placed on top at the end of the video segment; that will stay with the original hive and not have been moved with the new 4 frame split, right? 2) Is it imperative the new 4 frame split be moved far away (I believe you saidin the video that you're moving the new split a couple miles away) from the original hive? We've heard hives can try to rob eachother but we only have 1/2 acre of land. How far or close it too much when attempting a split like this?

[@fritzkeller7567]

Tim, fantastic video, thank you for your wisdom on splitting a hive. Answer your phone. Thank you.

[@WallsBeeMan]

Thank you Fritz. When we are working many hours a day in the busy season, it's hard to do anything else let alone answer the phone

[@Digger927]

Nice! Very well done sir, thank you for the great strategy...I'm going to try this method this spring!

[@MohammedAslamtit-bitsoflife]

Thank you again Mr Tim....yes you are a school in yourself..great to watch and we learn a lot...God bless you...aamin

[@The-Skinn]

Merry Christmas! Thank you for being such a good teacher! 🐝

[@WallsBeeMan]

I thank you for the Merry Christmas.....stay in tough.......tim

[@alexreeves5977]

Enjoyed your video, thanks from New Zealand.

[@jameshouston-mcmillan1588]

Thanks Tim, This work an absolute treat! Couldn't be easier.

[@WallsBeeMan]

thanks.....tim

[@winstonmaraj8029]

Maaaaan, the accent is MAGNIFICENT😅🤣😂❤️💪

[@WallsBeeMan]

Thank you. Will tell my Wife.........tim

[@ktommycary]

Thanks a lot for your very clear video. I appreciate the help.

[@MarcellaSmithVegan]

Hi Beeman, I saw this artist doing a bee and thought you would get a kick out of it, it is only like 2 minutes long but he finishes up with a cool looking bee he drew, thanks for your great information, I love to watch you at work, teaches 'calmness' hehe . He is that artist's drawing, enjoy! How I draw a bee

[@joschmoyo4532]

That's the best darn splitting video I've ever seen.

[@WallsBeeMan]

thank you & I just posted a new video

[@Makermook]

If you don't put a new queen in that new brood box, will the nurse bees pick an egg to feed it royal jelly and turn it into a queen?

[@WallsBeeMan]

Yes they will but most likely she won't be a good quality queen.... If you will, please subscribe to my channel.....tim

[@Craig-th2rh]

Excellent video! I’m a new beekeeper so I appreciate the clear explanation! One thing I’m left wondering is, do you need to move the new box far away? If you didn’t would the nurse bees go back to the original box?

[@BisonArmstrong]

2:17 5:43 The bees set an intruder alarm! lol

[@WallsBeeMan]

thank you & I just posted a new video

[@TheAbledGardener]

Thanks for the excellent video on splitting hive easily. I am a newer beekeeper and have only split a hive once but my beekeeper neighbor did it for me and very quickly. He's no longer helping me and I didn't see all he did and there was no teaching. I can take the hive 2 miles away but how long do I leave it before bringing it back? for the first split, it was left here.

[@WallsBeeMan]

The split hive that you move 2 miles away, leave them there say 3 day at least.

[@TheBushBeeMan]

Thank you for the great and informative video! Also, hi from Australia!

[@WallsBeeMan]

Thanks and appreciate the Australia info......tim

[@2brujoman]

Dear Mr. Durham: On one of your other videos you mention that you use a nine-bar spacer. The idea sounds good to me but I would appreciate knowing why you like it so much. Thank you very much. Gilbert in El Paso, TX

[@2brujoman]

***** Thank you very much for your kind and fast response. I do believe that I am going to try using the spacer on my honey supers this year. I have only a few hives and I keep a good eye on them so the burr comb should not be an issue. Thank you again. Gilbert in El Paso, TX.

[@MarcellaSmithVegan]

Gosh, everytime I watch this when I hear your phone alarm go off my heart stops!!! haha, sounds like a 'Radiation Leak' Warning Alarm! hahaha

[@zebra61]

Tim, I just can't believe that you won't at the very least wear a veil. So many of your videos have stings. Lips, legs, ears, arms etc. For those of us that experience swelling and a week of pain, it's almost painful to witness your stings. Thanks for the great videos, sharing all of your expertise and knowledge with the rest of us is very much appreciated. Keep the videos coming and the diphenhydramine handy!

[@zebra61]

***** Well, I guess you're exchanging one pain for another. You know best! I had a sting on my right hand (knuckles) that made some pain go away so I'm a believer. Best wishes Tim!

[@Oxfordgirlcooks]

Would you keep the queen in a cage for a few days before you release her in the new broodbox?

[@WallsBeeMan]

I would place the Q cage in the hive soon as possible so the bees can eat thru the candy. I would not deliberately keep her any longer. If you will, please subscribe to this channel....tim

[@Kentucky338]

Thank you. Is it possible for the bees to make their own queen?

[@martinstripling6994]

When would you start adding frames to the new hive?

[@hamideddaifi5615]

thanks papa well done, your son Hamid from Morocco

[@americanhottopics7373]

If you only have non flying nurse bees on the frames when you set it off do you have to move it 2 miles or could I move it 2-300 yards? I dont have anyplace i can put a hive 2 miles away!

[@WallsBeeMan]

you can do what a lot of beekeeper do. move your hive the 200 or 300 yards. Put a brush limb in front of it to make them think they are in a new location.

[@shesanalien89]

The fact that youre in shorts is blowing my mind lol

[@WallsBeeMan]

thank you & I just posted a new video

[@tiffanyerb9570]

Thank you for you help full videos! If I am needing to make a quick split, and I don't have a queen, can I put a frame with queen cells on it and still have good results? Thanks again!

[@WallsBeeMan]

Yes. Yes you can do that. Just try get get enough bees in each split........tim

[@tiffanyerb9570]

@@WallsBeeMan thank you!

[@souficoufi5763]

Think you for this excellent video (Algeria).

[@roelescamilla6022]

What if you can’t go to miles away? Is it possible to do this type of splint while staying on your property? Like say going from the from your property to the back of your property?

[@WallsBeeMan]

I am, kind of changing my thinking on this. More & more people are saying. Make the split and you can screen them up for 24 hrs to 3 days or put a heavy brush limb in front of the entrance to make them think they are in a different location. Moving to back of property would not help. If you see the next day that the split does not have enough bees in it, then swap the hive but don't wait like 10 days to swap them

[@marcelinomolina9333]

Do you just let the queen be free in the new box? And what should we look for that we know that the old bees have excepted her?

[@WallsBeeMan]

You will see her but look for eggs then you know thank you & I just posted a new video

[@geoffstirzaker9499]

Do you have to put a queen into the new brood box or can you just let the colony make a new queen ?

[@WallsBeeMan]

If you make them make a new queen, you will loose a month and most importantly, the new queen will not be a quality queen. If you will please, subscribe to my channel....tim

[@micktait8576]

I have a delema can i buy 2lots of bees and one Queen with three stack hive with starter waxed frames and feed them with pollen patties will they stay and thrive as one strong colony str8 away?

[@WallsBeeMan]

The bees in one stack will combine with each other.....tim

[@MohammedAslamtit-bitsoflife]

Thani you Mr Tim, pls tell me how you manage without the protective clothing?

[@michaelchaffin7096]

Where do you get the knew queen do you order one or do you have a way to get and extra one through your colonies.

[@WallsBeeMan]

We have raised queens but the last several years we bought from Koehnen in CA. 530.891.5216 Last few years they only ship to previous customers. Their queens are so good they don't have enough. They are not cheap and only ship next day air which is good. Maybe if you ordered one late in Spring or in Summer, the the next year you could order in Spring.

[@KujoPainting]

That's a cool idea, would it be necessary to move it 2 miles away though, wont it mostly be nurse bees anyway?

[@WallsBeeMan]

You don' have to move. A lot of beekeepers put brush or something in front of the hive to make it look like they are in a different location. The population will be less if you don't move. The next day or two, you can switch the two to build the population back up but don't wait more than a day or two............................tim

[@gsmat85]

We live and keep bees on 5 acres. What would you suggest if we are not able to move the move the brood chamber 2 miles? Thanks for posting the instructional videos too!

[@lindaferguson593]

Instead of moving that new box 2 miles away, can you close it off for a couple days, after it is removed from original hive area? Then orient the entry in a different direction?

[@WallsBeeMan]

Some beekeepers do that. Not in hot weather thought............tim

[@the1bulldurham]

I like what you did there. Smart.

[@dln1969]

watching this again so I can be ready for spring. Would it be reasonable to do this without adding a purchased queen and let them make their own queen from the eggs?

[@WallsBeeMan]

The problem with forcing them to make their own queen is most of the time the hive will not have enough bees in it to really make some quality queens. If you buy one, buy from a larger company that has good reviews. Keep us posted.......tim,

[@natserog]

really helpful! thanks Tim

[@leighsebire9025]

Hi Tim. Sorry if you've already answered this question a million times before, but how long does the split hive have to stay at the new location before returning back to the apiary? I just did my first split with your method and installed a new queen. Hive has been at the new location for two days now.

[@leighsebire9025]

***** The split hive is back in my yard and the new queen has settled in and is laying eggs. Thanks for all your interesting and helpful videos.

[@biengos.8180]

He's a verry cool beekeeper !👍👍👍

[@WallsBeeMan]

thank you.......tim

[@readingforwisdom7037]

Nice work Tim!

[@WallsBeeMan]

Thanks! I appreciate that. If you will, subscribe to my channel.........tim

[@donnanolte851]

Good evening Tim - could you use this same process if a hive has capped queen cells as a swarm prevention method? Put the frames with queen cells in the top box and put a double screen between them the following day (leaving the queen excluder for a day so that bees can come back up)?

[@WallsBeeMan]

Yes you can. There are several tings you can play with but you have to stay on top of it..tim

[@yvonneturner5505]

What is honey bee healthy I'm in uk and I know America has different names for some things thanks

[@WallsBeeMan]

A liquid made to give to bees for good health. Google bee supply houses for it. Maybe it is not sold in your area. Actually, any product that has an odor will work as long as it will not hurt the queen If you will , please subscribe to my channel.....tim

[@hansonberryfarms9845]

What if you don't have drawn comb, just foundation to put in the split, or the original hive?

[@WallsBeeMan]

you can divide the drawen combs you have between the two splits then finish out each one with foundation

[@zachwootton4294]

Do you have to put a new queen when you split the hive or can you let them make one will it still work?

[@WallsBeeMan]

Watch the latest video I made yesterday as I talked about his. If you like, please subscribe to my channel....tim

[@hogkillerjp]

Great video good info I will give this a try thanks

[@628DirtRooster]

Nice work.

[@yvonneturner5505]

When you add a queen to your split hive do you put er in a age with candy so bees can free her slowly to get used to her

[@WallsBeeMan]

For years we did do that. With confidence I have learned to mix honey bee healthy with sugar syrup and spray the queen and intro her immediately. If you will, please subscribe to my channel.....tim

[@splinterpickerwon]

@@WallsBeeMan Would you talk a little about that mix and how it allows you to intro a queen immediately?

[@SillyW]

What do you do if you can not move the hive more then 200 yards away from the other hives?

[@WallsBeeMan]

If you can't just put them where you can. The next day, if the split hive seems to not have enough been, swap the hive position. thank you & I just posted a new video

[@loveamerica587]

I lost a have over the winter right next to a healthy hive. If I pull frames from the brood box and honey supers re-queen do I still have to move 3 miles away

[@WallsBeeMan]

If you don't do something, some of the flying older field bees will go into the old hive. When beekeepers move them, it is only 2 miles is far enough. A lot of beekeepers do not move the split hive. Splits are done during daylight hours & the foragers are out doing their thing so you don't have them being transferred during the initial split anyway. You also can move more bees then you think necessary so when few or some go back to the mother hive, then your OK.

[@loveamerica587]

Walls Bee Man Thank you

[@scottespenschied6891]

i understand the move 2 to 3 miles away but i don't understand when i come to a lot and there are 6 hives on one lot can you shed some lite on this i would like to have more but need to know if i can put more in the same location rather than moving 3 miles away.

[@FLYSAFE143]

Thank you very much Mr. Durham for a great video. I am going to try to do two splits the end of this week up here near Boston. I will not be able to move the new splits 2 miles away. Best I could do is about a 150 feet. Will that present a problem?

[@FLYSAFE143]

Thank you very much. You do a great job in your video. I appreciate you helping others in this way. You have a great gift in this area. Thank you again. Boston Bob

[@onemouse1]

If you make a split like this, and put it next to the hive, (i cant move my hive two miles away)wait a week and requeen do you think it will work? I may get drifting but once the new queen is out laying would it work?

[@loveamerica587]

Great video like I mentioned I’m a first your backyard beekeeper with two hives, will this prevent a swarm? And what month should I do this in I’m in California

[@WallsBeeMan]

It is nature for bees to swarm. People have babies and bees swarm. Don't crowed them and it is said a young queen is not as likely to swarm as an old queen

[@smokeydabeecharlescoleman8365]

Nice video, I learned something.

[@guitarfend]

Tim, are the bees you shook off nurse bees? If they are going to come back to take care of the brood why shake them off? That's the part I don't understand. Love your videos. Learned so much.

[@2daymehappy]

Can you explain how the 9 frame spacers work? Can I use them in new foundations and frames, I am a new bee lover and having a hard time getting the frames out when checking hives.

[@ajjenga4316]

I'm new to beekeeping so have one question. Why not just separate that new box and place it a few feet away. Won't they hive realize there's no queen and they'll make one themselves?

[@WallsBeeMan]

Yes but it kills about a month and they may not make a good queen

[@IceManTX69]

Great vid! Thanks, Tim!

[@younginsong4355]

how long must the box with a new queen stay in a 2 mile away?

[@WallsBeeMan]

3 days is enough..........tim