We also routinely combine colonies.  When there is any sort of nectar flow
on, we seldom observe fighting.  We simply smoke and combine.

If no flow is on, we use a scented sugar syrup spray on both sets of bees
to mask their colony odors.  Or we use newspaper.

And yes, there is occasionally serious fighting.  As did Pete, sometimes
adding a swarm to an existing colony can cause mayhem.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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