This colony was from a cutout only 4 months earlier and had filled 3+ mediums here in Texas. Quite prolific but also quite aggressive, downsizing them will calm some the aggressions. But you can see the method for doing a split.
Also, notice that I did not need to move them miles, only a few feet. Note that one split gets a top entrance and the larger split gets a new bottom entrance (some bees will migrate back to the top entrance, so favor the new bottom entrance with bees/frames).
Just make sure both sides have brood+eggs so they can make a new queen. I do not hunt for the queen, with all that activity can you imagine trying to find her!
And yes, this is an AHB colony. I will water down their genetics and they'll become my 'typical' aggressive hive, not the anti-Christ aggressive hive they are now. While many would simply destroy this colony, there are some very good traits that I want to draw from these genetics (prolific egg-laying queen, 2x the nectar draw of most of my 'aggressive' hives, defensive).
AHB is NOT for new beekeepers. Proper safety is always #1 priority and I know how to handle this temperament. Note that I did not get one sting from any of this activity and after 15 minutes were back to normal.
