Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Caleb012 on May 01, 2013, 09:43:03 pm

Title: Best practice regarding merging frames of bees
Post by: Caleb012 on May 01, 2013, 09:43:03 pm

What is the best way to combine smaller numbers of frames into a 10 frame box? I realize that the newspaper combine is suggested for merging 2 colonies. What if one only wishes to combine 2...3...perhaps 4 frames of bees to a stronger colony? What is the best way to prevent conflict? Thank you very much.

Title: Re: Best practice regarding merging frames of bees
Post by: hardwood on May 01, 2013, 10:25:51 pm

I'm sure you'll hear different opinions, but what I do is smoke the snot outta them and transfer the frames. Don't have time for anything else.

Scott

Title: Re: Best practice regarding merging frames of bees
Post by: Vance G on May 01, 2013, 10:26:04 pm

A piece of newspaper will go between frames too.  Try to off the queen of the weak colony you are combining.  Put  five drops of vanilla extract and a couple big spoons of sugar in a cup of water and put it in an empty windex sprayer and make them all smell alike and the newspaper isn't really neccessary.  

Title: Re: Best practice regarding merging frames of bees
Post by: RHBee on May 02, 2013, 02:13:22 am

More good information from both of you guys. Thanks

Title: Re: Best practice regarding merging frames of bees
Post by: my-smokepole on May 02, 2013, 08:06:32 am

Spray hive and frame with vanilla add to your Surup
David

Title: Re: Best practice regarding merging frames of bees
Post by: Michael Bush on May 02, 2013, 10:22:50 am

Two weak hives are usually happy to see some help, but some confusion is helpful.  A lot of smoke makes confusion...