1 – Using a hive splitting tool carefully pry the hive apart in the join of the two halves , have your empty hive close by when splitting.
2 –You will hear a crack which is the breaking of the protective seal inside the hive that the bees have created. Clean around the seals of the hive with your splitting tool, drain of any broken honey cells into a tray.
3 –A full top will then be given to the empty bottom and the full bottom will be then given to the empty top. It is advisable to use strapping around the hive to help reseal the hive.
4 –When splitting the hive always clean up spilt honey to avoid grubs invading the hive and destroying it, a good idea is to wrap the join with glad wrap or sticky tape to prevent insects laying grubs in the join.
5 –Do not cover the entrance with glad wrap. If possible leave the top of the split hive in the original position and only move the bottom split hive as it is more stable.
6 –Avoid splitting the hive in hot weather as occasionally the top may drop down because of soft wax caused by hot days.You now have 2 hives working in your garden or you can gift a hive too friends or family.
