Powell Split Frames – Hive split
Powell split frames are a little invention I have put together to make the propagation of Austroplebeia australis easier. I believe they will also work for other species of stingless bee also.
Watch this video to see what they are all about.
About Powell split frames.
I took my time designing these after seeing how Alan waters hive worked to split bees so well. I wanted an “in hive frame”. So I began making these to aid in the propagation of these special bees. A new hive can be started in about 3 minutes if you take your time.
I measured everyone’s colonies I could get a hold of and worked out how the bees choose to construct their hives. Bee spaces, entrance tunnels and pollen and honey pots where all measured and observed for some time before I came to have them manufactured. A trial run of more then a year has proved that they work sufficiently for me.
A box with an internal measurement of 190mm/110mm by 100mm deep is required for these to work their best.
I have also used these frames if a hive has come under attack to lift the whole nest out of the box to clean.
How do they work?
Powell split frames work by aiding the bees to choose the correct location to construct different components of their hive. Honey pollen, nest structure and brood. Small spaces in the right areas make it so the colony of bees can be made into two colonies, without major disruption to the nest structure. This gives the bees a faster repair time and both halves grow into healthy colonies.
The brood of Austroplebeia australis is laid by the queen in such a way that when the colony is split like this you should get an even amount of both new and aged brood.
If you have any questions about these frames feel free to ask. If you would like a frame set to use in a box. Drop me a line through the main contact on this website.
I hope to see more people produce new and exciting ideas like this to help our Australian native stingless bees.
You can get one of these for yourself over on my sales page
Very nice !
Hi Nick
What a great set-up,I am trying an eduction of AA from a small log to a box with a similar idea of a vertical split inside a box. I have a split centre core and base with the idea of lifting out half when the brood is ready,but the box walls&floor are very full of attached honey and pollen pots (just waiting for queen and brood to be laid in the centre core,only spare space left).Your system is so much better as I will need to damage pots to get the half structure out when the time comes.I also liked the way Alan Waters did his splitting and this lead me to try my set-up. I think Bob Lutteral may have lead the way with native bee space requirement, following the same bee space principal used with euro honey bees. Congradulations on a good practical, effective design.David
A real great innovation for the stingless bee industry, not only in Australia, but for all over the world. Congrats!!!
Ty Giorgio for stopping by and making such a nice comment. I appreciate the encouragement.
Nice work. Are you in production of these as yet. I do make my own hives.
Yes I am! I haven’t put up a sales page yet because My internet is currently down. But will have them up soon enough
Thanks very interested when you have them up and running. I am on Sunshine Coast