How to Split a Beehive for Colony Expansion
This article is part of our complete guide to Starting Beekeeping in South Africa.
Splitting a hive is a method of creating a second colony from a strong, established one.
It prevents swarming, increases honey production, and helps grow your apiary without buying new bees.
In South Africa’s climate, splits are best done during spring or early summer.
Why Split a Hive?
- Prevent natural swarming by relieving hive congestion.
- Create a new colony from a thriving one.
- Prepare hives for pollination contracts or expansion.
- Replace a queenless or weak colony by combining later.
When to Split a Hive in South Africa
- Best time: Spring (Aug–Oct) when nectar is available.
- Avoid splits in mid-winter or during drought.
- Only split strong hives with at least 8–10 full frames of bees.
What You Need
- Protective gear (suit, gloves, veil)
- Smoker and hive tool
- One strong, healthy hive
- New hive box (Langstroth or Top-Bar)
- Extra frames (drawn or with foundation)
- Queen excluder or spare queen (optional)
✅ Optional: Queen cage or queen cells if you plan to introduce a new queen.
Step-by-Step Hive Splitting Guide
1. Inspect the Original Hive
✔️ Confirm the hive is disease-free and has plenty of capped brood, honey, and pollen.
✔️ Look for the queen and brood pattern before making a split.
2. Choose a Splitting Method
There are two main types:
Walkaway Split (no new queen needed)
- Move 3–5 frames (with bees, brood, and honey) into the new hive.
- Leave the original queen in one hive; the queenless half will raise a new queen using existing eggs.
Split with a New Queen
- Same as above, but you introduce a mated queen or queen cell to the queenless hive.
- Reduces the risk of queen failure.
✅ For beginners, using a purchased queen increases success rates.
3. Move the New Hive
- Place the new hive at least 3 km away to avoid forager bees returning to the original hive.
- Or block the entrance for 24–48 hours and reorient bees with leaves or grass.
4. Feed the Split
- Provide sugar syrup for 1–2 weeks to support the new colony while it builds up.
How to Tell If the Split Was Successful
- After 7–10 days: Inspect the new hive.
- If walkaway split: Look for queen cells or a new queen.
- If queen was introduced: Look for eggs or larvae.
- After 3–4 weeks: New brood pattern and forager activity should be visible.
✅ Mark the new queen if possible for easier tracking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Splitting a weak hive – It may not recover.
- Not checking for disease or pests before splitting.
- Moving too few bees – The new colony won’t thrive.
- Failing to feed the new split during low nectar flow.
Downloadable Checklist
Click here to download a hive splitting checklist (Coming soon!)
Final Thoughts
Splitting hives is a powerful tool for beekeepers wanting to expand their apiary or prevent swarms.
With timing, preparation, and a little practice, it becomes one of the most useful skills in sustainable beekeeping.