should I try this without smoke, or lite smoke?
 
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> From: Peter W. Plumley <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: splitting a three level hive
> Date: Sunday, December 21, 1997 8:48 PM
>
> Walt:
>
>         I combined a number of weak hives this September and created some
> triple deckers.  When taking the Apistan Strips off at the end of
October,
> I reduced then to two brood supers. In some hives, the bees had centered
in
> the lower brood super, and in others the top super.  And in all cases,
one
> super was always devoid of bees - and nearly of honey storage too.
>         Therefore, I suggest you simply open them up and find where they
> are centering/clustering - and remove the deep super that has the fewer
> number, which could be the bottom or top.
>         I would also pick the warmest day you can - so if they do fly
> they'll have a chance of making it back inside.
>
> PWP
>
> Plumley Farms - LaFayette, New York