Hello there bee keepers!
 
I have written a message about merging two hives to increase
hive strength.  Several of you responded, with caution it is
possible to do it would seem.
 
One bee lister asked that I share my results if I were to do it.
 
Today (4-29-92) I caught another swarm.  The caught swarm was
larger than the new hive that I was wanting to strengthen...This
is what I have seen so far...
 
I took two sheets of newspaper, and placed some syrup inbetween
the paper, and some on the outside.  (The syrup was my idea....)
I placed the paper over the frames of the newly established hive
and put a new body above it.  (The two bodies were separated with the paper
)  I put some frames in the upper body, and brushed the swarm bees
into the top body.  After a bit I put on the lid.  So far so good.
 
I noticed the workers that were flying around before I put the lid on
try to gain access to the hive entrance.  The established hive guards
have been kept out all new bees.  I noticed fighting and stinging.
Now I am hoping that when they make it through the news paper that
they will be of a much better disposition.  Both queens are present,
so I expect only one of them to survive.  At this point, I am
wondering if this was a good idea....  I will keep you posted.
 
Darryl		<[log in to unmask]>