Traditional beekeeping involves keeping each bee colony in a separate hive. However, in addition to the classic version, experienced beekeepers also use two-queen bee keeping. The essence of this technique is to place two bee colonies in one hive, contacting through a special dividing grid.
Features of the hive
First of all, the methods of two-queen keeping of bees in hives are unnatural. And they do not arise in natural conditions. To create a common habitation of bees, competent human intervention is required.
When forming a paired device, it is important for a beekeeper to adhere to a number of fundamental points:
- a multi-body hive contains 2 queens;
- the mothers have no way to get to each other, due to the installation of a dividing grid;
- unlimited access of worker bees and drones to the nest.
Humanity has been keeping bees and producing honey for over 1000 years. And during this time, the method of double-matted content has undergone changes and improved. However, as before, the main task of the beekeeper is to ensure the conflict-free work of insects.
Twin-housing technology
Breeding bees using this technique involves the use of 2 types of hives:
- multi-hull or other name vertical;
- sun loungers (horizontal);
For the paired keeping of insects of honey plants, the beekeeper needs to choose a suitable design. In the case when it was not possible to achieve friendship between insects with two-uterine housing, it is necessary to return to the classic content.
In the hives sunbeds
The most common way is to breed bees in sun loungers. This method is considered successful from the point of location of access to the hive. The bee house is divided horizontally into 2 sections. Each section contains a queen, its own brood and family.
And create a double-finned hive as follows:
- to form a new layer, one of the strong families is chosen;
- a new one is planted in the section where the queen is absent, having previously protected it with a special cap;
- after a week, the bees get used to the smell of the new queen and take her for their own.
After that, the cap is removed, and the mother begins her functions. Developed this method of breeding bees Milenin, two-uterine hives are separated by a partition, which excludes a fight between two queens. This method allows you to increase the amount of collected bribes.
In multi-hull hives
Double-queen keeping of bee colonies in multi-hive hives is a more complicated option. The beekeeper Dadanov created this method of keeping families. This method provides for the resettlement of insects honey collectors in two or three-housed houses.
To create such a hive you will need:
- bee houses are placed on top of each other;
- in the lower of the buildings, a bookmark is made for a fetal individual, 70% of insects are transferred and one of the frames with a printed brood is installed;
- the remaining workers are placed in the upper body, all the sealed frames and the new queen;
- each section has its own entrance.
In the case when, at the end of winter, the mothers do not fully mature, the hives are separated after laying. In this case, the queens are placed in the upper part of the hive. In addition, with such a settlement, it is easier for the beekeeper to monitor the behavior of bees and prevent swarming.
According to Ozerov
Ozerov’s technique can increase the productivity of each family by 80%. According to Ozerov, the hives consist of three parts and two semi-frame extensions fixed at the bottom of the hive:
- the first lower body is divided into 2 parts. Each section has 6 or 8 frames;
- the second middle body is also made of 2 sections. In addition, there are 2 tap holes in this department. One is located in the front and the other on the side;
- the third body is one-piece with tap holes;
- at the base of the entire structure, stands are installed to provide ventilation and protect against ticks.
All three sections are removable and can contain from 12 to 16 frames. The 16-frame design does not have stands. Since with this method:
- upon completion of the flight, the streets are closed with special slats. Then the insulation is placed;
- to expand the family, 3 slats are removed from the lower section. Next, a common body with 8 frames is installed, pre-lubricated with sugar syrup;
- after 2 weeks, the 3rd section is removed in order to remove the rail from the lower block;
- after that, all the departments are covered with gratings, and then the body with foundation is put back;
- after 3 weeks the bees will fully master the second and third sections. Thereafter, the swarms of bees unite to harvest;
- when the toilers collect bribes, the honey hives are removed and prepared for the coming winter.
Ozerov’s technique will be successful if additionally form anti-war layers. In this case, the workers will cover 8 frames.
According to Sviridov
Sviridov’s technique provides for the formation of families in sun loungers hives. A dividing grid is installed in the bee houses, which allows insects to feel each other. To create a double queen cell using this technique, you will need:
- select a strong family and divide it into 2;
- a fetal individual is laid in one section of the hive, and a new queen is populated in the other, having previously covered it with a cap;
- a week later, the cap is removed from the new mother.
This method produces 16 frames with good brood. But you need to remember that the beekeeper must constantly remove 3 frames with brood and bees that serve them. This will help build strong new families and prevent swarming.
Advantages and disadvantages
Hives of two queens have a side advantages:
- Wintering is easier. Since with a large number of bees, heat consumption is significantly saved;
- with less energy consumption, power consumption is reduced;
- workers who overwintered in a warm place are more likely to recover after hibernation and are much healthier than other relatives;
- the number of eggs laid increases.
All this has a positive effect on the health and endurance of honey workers, which means that in the new season the amount of collected honey will increase.
However, in addition to the advantages of double-queen housing, limitations:
- Due to the complicated design, the large amount of collected honey and the increase in the family, the beehives are very heavy. This makes it difficult to self-service the bee houses;
- with two-queen housing, the density of insect stocking increases, which negatively affects ventilation. Therefore, if measures are not taken in a timely manner, significant losses of workers can be incurred;
- due to the large number of frames, it is difficult to inspect them.
And the main danger of two-uterine keeping is hostility between bee swarms. If there is no normal interaction between the queens, only the separation of the hives can solve the problem.
Settlement and Twin Breeding Recommendations
Long-term observation of bee colonies placed in two-uterine hives made it possible to determine the following:
- spring pollen feeding helps to build up the strength of the workers;
- 2 months before the main collection of honey, a queen is placed in a layer that does not have a queen, and a dividing grid is installed;
- train your bees to use the lower entrance. To do this, close the top one;
- swap hives every 2 weeks and add a new one once a month;
- you need to complete the formation of two uterine hives a month before the main collection.
Some beekeepers separate the two-queen swarms with the approach of winter, and with the onset of spring they unite again. According to the experience of other beekeepers, wintering insects in two mother hives, on the contrary, has a positive effect. Well, with the onset of spring, it makes no sense to carry out the separation.
