How to move bees from boxes with no frames into regular hives?

[Rocketcaver]

I got started in bee keeping in the late 80's and had a great time with the bees for several years and made lots of beekeeping friends.
Then due to a series of those events that life likes to throw at us from time to time, I had to give the bees up, and as often happens in such circumstances we all drifted apart.
Now, a couple of years ago I found that a colony of bees had moved into one of my old hive boxes.
Of course that box had no frames in it, so it's packed with cross comb and lots of very happy bees.
The same year I was given an old squirrel box that was also filled with cross comb and bees.
It never rains but it pours!
I tried putting a new box with frames on top of the hive body hoping the bees would move up into it, but
no luck.  Same with the squirrel box.
The bees will go up into the new box to eat the feed I put there, but didn't even draw out any comb in either case.
I don't have access to any drawn comb to give them.
I have read about breaking up the old hive and wiring the old comb into the new frames but have never done anything like that.  Is that my only option?
The last time I checked, a nice warm day a couple of weeks ago, there were still lots of bees in both boxes.
I would like to salvage both these colonies and get back in the bee biz.
Any suggestions appreciated.

[Kirk-o]

Hi Buddy just get some frames some cottn string a couple of hive bodies and a good butcher knife.Cut them out tie them in the new frames Bob's your uncle.
Kirko

[NWIN Beekeeper]

[Bob's your uncle.]

Is that a secret code?

If so, "The vultures are circling." and "The indians are on the war path."

[Jerrymac]

You can use rubber bands to secure the comb in the frames after you cut it out of the boxes.

If you aren't in a big hurry, you could try turning the old hive body upside down and sit another hive body with frames on top. During a flow they might build comb in the upper box. Then perhaps when winter comes they will move up into the box.

Just some thoughts.

[Bennettoid]

Hi Buddy just get some frames some cottn string a couple of hive bodies and a good butcher knife.Cut them out tie them in the new frames Bob's your uncle.
Kirko

[Bob's your uncle.]

Is that a secret code?

If so, "The vultures are circling." and "The indians are on the war path."

[Joseph Clemens]

. . .  I tried putting a new box with frames on top of the hive body hoping the bees would move up into it, but no luck. . .
Any suggestions appreciated.

An alternate use for Fisher's Bee-Quick seems called for. You could drive them all up into the new super, then quickly slip a queen excluder/includer between them to keep the queen in the new super, where she should reestablish her brood nest, then remove the old boxes after all brood has emerged. This should permit nurse bees to return to tend the brood. I'd do this when the population is strong enough to easily expand into the second super. Either way you should keep an eye out so the queen is not trapped above without attendants.

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesferal.htm#moving

[CBEE]

rocketcaver,
Can you add your location to your profile... Sometimes its hard to help someone thats hopelessly lost :-D :-D

Sounds like someone has been to jolly old england... Kirk 0
Would I like to have some fish and chips from Roebucks up on the richmond hill right now :-P

[CBEE]

AAHHH southern Illinoise.. You close to the Ohio river ?

[Rocketcaver]

I never thought of turning the old hive upside down, that's brilliant!
The weather was fine today so I went out to the farm and checked on the bees.
The squirrel box was empty of bees except for a few robbers.
Oh well.
The old hive body was bustling with activity.
The bees were very busy and quite excitable.
I need to get some new foundation, then I'll try some of ya'll's suggestions.
Naw, we aren't very close to the river, actually we are just about in the middle of Southern Illinois.
Matter of fact some freinds and I are hiking a section of the River to River trail Sunday.
Been doing it a section at a time for the last couple of years during the winter months.
We're almost finished.
By the way, down here we say "Robert's you fathers brother".

[Brian D. Bray]

I would have made a top entrance, closed up the lower one and forced the bees to climb up through the new super in order to exit the hive.  Once they had begun that journey they would have moved up and drawn out the frames and you'd be home already.  Bees hate a void, they fill them with comb then honey and/or brood.  One of the beauties of using top entrances is that just by putting the next super on top of the others the bees automatically draw the combs and fill the box cause they hate a void.

[Rocketcaver]

What a "super" idea!
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Really, that's a great idea, I think that's what I'll do.

[Rocketcaver]

I went back this morning to add the top entrance, alter frames to starter strips, and put in a division feeder on the live hive.
It's a little chilly and drizzley this morning, so the bees didn't bother me much.
I reduced the bottom entrance quite a bit, and as soon as I see the bees are using the top entrance will close up the bottom entrance all together.
So then I go to break up the squirrel box....
BZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yikes!  It's full of bees!
I couldn't see them, seems they are clustered right at the top inside in the back, hidden by the old comb.
I guess last time I looked it was still a little too chilly for them to be very active.  ?
Whatever the reason, I'm glad to report that I do indeed have two colonies.
As soon as I can get a new hive body knocked together I'll try the entrance switch on the squirrel box bees and see how it works.
Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions, I am ending up using bits of several, so this is really turning into a group effort.

[Brian D. Bray]

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions, I am ending up using bits of several, so this is really turning into a group effort.

That's what the forum is for.