A Taranov split is a method used by beekeepers to divide a colony of bees into two separate hives. It is named after the Russian beekeeper, Nikolai Taranov, who developed the technique.
The Taranov split involves separating the bees into two equal-sized groups, each with its own queen. One group is kept in the original hive, while the other is moved to a new hive. The process is typically done in the spring or early summer when the hive is strong and there is plenty of forage available for the bees.
The purpose of a Taranov split is to create a new, strong hive without having to purchase a new queen. It can also be used to reduce the size of a hive that is overcrowded or to create a backup hive in case the original hive fails.
To perform a Taranov split, the beekeeper must first locate the queen and mark her with a small dot of paint. The hive is then divided into two equal-sized sections, with one section containing the marked queen and the other section containing a group of young, unhatched bees (also known as “brood”). The hive with the marked queen is left in place, while the other hive is moved to a new location. Over time, the bees in the new hive will raise a new queen and the hive will become a fully functioning colony.
