In a recent Bee Culture Magazine article, experienced beekeeper Richard Wahl details the Demaree vertical split technique to prevent swarming without expanding hive numbers. Developed in the late 19th century, this method separates brood areas while keeping the colony intact. Wahl shares steps and tips based on his years of mentoring new beekeepers.
Richard Wahl, a high school math teacher turned beekeeping instructor, began his journey with bees in 2010 after catching a swarm. Over the years, he has mentored numerous beginners, including giving a package of bees to a high school robotics student he coached. Joining a local club, Wahl has co-instructed classes for 20 to 25 new beekeepers annually for the past five years. Many novices express interest in maintaining just one or two hives for garden pollination or personal honey, but worry about the costs and management of splits to control swarming.
The Demaree method, named after George Demaree who first described it in the American Bee Journal in 1884 and refined it in 1892, addresses this by creating a vertical separation within a single hive. It mimics swarming to reduce congestion in the brood nest without losing bees, the queen, or production capacity. Wahl recommends performing it in early spring, such as early to mid-May in southern Michigan, when colonies feel crowded or show initial queen cups.
Key steps include locating the queen and placing her in the bottom deep box with mostly empty or drawn comb, at least one frame of brood, and some honey and pollen frames. A queen excluder goes above this, optionally followed by one or two honey supers with drawn comb. The top deep holds the majority of capped brood and shaken bees. Nurse bees migrate downward to tend emerging brood, while foragers maintain nectar flow. About a week to ten days later, inspect the top deep and remove any queen cups. After three to four weeks, when upper brood has emerged, remove the excluder and recombine the boxes, adding supers as needed during nectar flow.
Wahl notes that a second Demaree may be possible in June for strong colonies, and up to three in southern regions. Benefits include sustained honey production and colony unity, though the queen works intensely, potentially shortening her lifespan, and deep boxes are heavy to maneuver. He credits historical sources and thanks his granddaughter Erika Goretski for illustrations. This approach suits beekeepers aiming to limit hive growth while thwarting swarms.