Combining hive

[Alicia]

Hello all.
I am thinking of splitting a hive.....but instead of splitting one hive, I would like to take a little from 2 hives and combine them for one new hive.
Has anyone done this? Is it possible, will the bees get along?
Thanks!
Alicia

 

[Maggiesdad]

I do mixed origin combines with my topbars, taking brood with nurse bees from at least 3 hives, 4 is better - making absolutely sure the queen is not on them, then giving the new nuc a capped queen cell. It works well.

Frames frome two hives might work, I would pull at least six (3 ea) brood frames plus a honey pollen and give them a mated queen a 24h later. Or a queen cell. Smoke 'em good when you combine to throw off their pheromones.

 

[Alicia]

Ok. I can def do 3 frames each with brood and honey. I think I wilL have to buy a queen, or hope there are queen cells present. Will do an inspection tonight.
Do you have a recommendation of where to buy a queen from?
Is this a good time in the season to do this?
Thanks!
Alicia

 

[babsbag]

This is a good time of year to do this, especially if you have a honey flow. If no serious honey flow right now you should feed them and maybe feed them anyways. I would like to requeen a hive this year and I was told for my area to do it before Aug 15, but we are much hotter and drier than WA.

I buy my queens locally from Wootens Golden Queens in Palo Cedro, CA. Good Italian stock but I would like to try the Minnesota Hygenic Queens but the cost is $$$ considering shipping. I would Google Queens in your area and see if there are any breeders.

 

[Maggiesdad]

Get up with Laurie Miller, she's in your neck of the woods and she knows bees. She has queens.

 

[Alicia]

I did find some one..Mark Adams with Northwest Queens, on a list.
I will also check with Laurie and she what she has.
I'm also in the process of buying the equip needed....will post updates.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Maggiesdad]

http://pcbeekeepers.org/in-the-apiary/bee-packages-queens-nucs

She's no.2 on the list...

 

[Alicia]

Thank you.
Sent her an email.