Moving Whole Boxes w/ Frames and Bees

[beek4018]

Just curious, when removing a whole deep brood super to get at the one underneath, how do you prevent the bees on the bottom of the frames from getting crushed when you set it down.

The photos in books make it look they've set it any old where. But when stacked as part of the hive, the bee space between supers is usually created by the gap between the top of the frames in the lower ox, and the top of the lower box. 

There is no space between the bottom of the frames in the upper box and the bottom of the upper box. So setting it right on the ground or any flat surface would crush any bees on the bottom of the frames in the top box.

Do you prop the edges of the box up on something, or take along an extra box to temporarily stack the bees on?

Thanks.

[iddee]

Lay the telescoping lid on it's top on the ground. Set the box crossways on it.

[lenape13]

I use an empty super.

[AllenF]

Smoke them.  You can drive the bees up or down by pushing them with the smoker.

[iddee]

Allen, I have a two deep hive. I pick up one box. HOW do I smoke the bottom of it before I set it down? Should I be holding it above my head with one hand while I smoke it with the other, and watch for the bees to clear the bottom of the frames.

[AllenF]

Tilt one side up 45 degrees then smoke them.

[iddee]

Tried that once. It went off the side and I had a mess. Won't do that again.

[AllenF]

As you tilt, slide it in an inch.  Then you can lift it a full 90 degrees.  It is a good way to check your beetles.  They love to hide on the bottom of frames.