This is my second year keeping bees.  I have six hives of Buckfast bees.
Two days ago an acquaintance at work told me that her ex-husband
used to keep bees, and when they got divorced 5 years ago he left 4
hives on her uncle's farm.  She said her uncle was afraid of bees and no
one had touched the hives since the divorce.  She said that she thought
one hive was still alive, and I could have any or all of the
bees/equipment.
 
I live in eastern Kansas and we do have varroa.  To my surprise, when I
picked the stuff up one of the hives was still alive.  It was in two hive
bodies, with the entrance reduced to 1/2 inch.  The hive is very strong--
packed with bees and honey.  It's also about to swarm.  It has many
queen cells along the bottom bars.
 
What do I do?  My guess is that I need to split it somehow, but how?
 
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
                                                      -Steve Phillips-
                                                         -Perry, KS-