Edited
 
Speaking of smooshing bees, in the peak of summer when the hives are
> full, there are always bees on the top edge of the hive body when you go
> to replace the inner cover or a super.  What's the best trick to keep
> from killing so many?  Brushing them away doesn't work, since they crawl
> back out on brushed edges when brushing another?  I feel guilty killing so
> many bees whenever putting a hive back together.
>
> -Mike
 
        Before you close the hive give it a good dose of smoke to
get the bees below the top edge of the hive body and off the top
of the frames.
 
Rob.