<The problem is I find I can't find the queen during my hurried and distracted
inspections>
Put any supers on other hives, uniting with a sheet of newspaper.  The bees
in them will not infect the other bees.  If on a double brood chamber drive
them down to one with heavy smoke.  Put the empty brood chamber on top of
the supers and let any brood work out.  Move the full broodchamber several
yards to a new place in the apiary.  In a couple of days the fliers will
have returned to the next hive to the old site and you will have a much
weakened stock.  So far you have not had the hassle of going through the
combs.  Now working quickly split the stock into two and move them again to
new sites
_________________________________________________________________
Sid Pullinger                    Email :  [log in to unmask]
36, Grange Rd                Compuserve:  [log in to unmask]
Alresford
Hants SO24 9HF
England