May 2 Dandelion Time and Splitting

I can't believe I have come full circle with my honeybees and  am now launching into my second year of beekeeping. This week the temperatures were over 60 degrees F. and it was sunny, decent weather to make my artificial swarms  and notch my brood frames per Mel Disselkoen's On The Spot (OTS) method.  His method can be found on the web  @ www.mdasplitter.com  and in his book, OTS Queen Rearing, A Survival Guide For Beekeepers Worldwide.            .
Two of my hives had over eight frames of brood.  They were strong enough to remove the queen with 2 frames of brood to make an artificial swarm and do the notching on the brood frames left at original hive. I was able to notch at least 4 frames in each and will now check back in a week for queen cells.  I will then be able to make splits using a frame with a queen cell on it and at least one other frame of brood.  In doing this I have prevented my hive from swarming and am able to make successful splits with strong healthy queens from my own backyard!
The other hive will have to build up a couple more frames of brood before I am able to remove that queen and notch the frames.
Dandelions  are blooming and many trees are popping also.  Great sources of nectar and pollen for the bees.

Honeybee on Dandelion



Check out all the pollen on her body, coming in for a landing on Dandelion bloom

Almost a full load, time to head back to the hive.