How do I downsize my hives?

[ScoobyDoBee]

I've got 2 hives, all 8 frame mediums except each has one deep. I need to get down to 1 deep and 2 mediums each - to call that the equivalent of 4 medium (2 deeps). That leaves me 2 extra on one hive and 1 extra on the other. Last inspection had a lot of "something" in every frame - mostly pollen and nectar, having just come out of a drought.

If this all gets converted to honey, I'll freeze some extra frames, but anyone have a plan on how I lose 3 boxes or will this just work itself out by most of those becoming emptied by winter?

Thanks!

[D Coates]

I'd leave them alone but if you've got to downsize what I do if scratch any capped frames in the super or deep you're wanting to remove.  Put an inner cover above it and flip it.  The honey will begin to run out and they can't store anything in comb that's facing downward so they'll take it all below.  It works best if the honey is not hot (really fluid) and it'll take a day or two.  If you have an upper entrance on your inner cover you can end up with honey coming out of it and starting some robbing so be sure to plug that up.

[BeeMaster2]

Why not get some Bee Quick, (smells good like almond extract, I left it in my truck because I liked the smell) staple a cloth rag to a inner board (cut to the size of the inner board) spray a light coat on it, put it on top of the super you want to remove for 5 minutes (max) and remove that super. Use that same fume board for the other 2 supers. Be sure to put a board or lid under and on top of the empty supers. As soon as you get the last one off, restack them on top of the re sprayed fume board and leave a small opening at the top by turning the top cover on an angle to allow the corners to be open a little bit. That will allow the stragglers to get out. Then you can extract the honey or freeze it for the spring.
Jim

[Kathyp]

put your location in your profile please.  if you are in the deep south, you may not need to worry about it. if you are up in the cold north, that's another thing.

[ScoobyDoBee]

Thanks for these replies. Didn't have my options set to notify. :( I also added my location, Kathy, even though Hopelessly Lost is so accurate!

I am in the South - not deep.

I found the best way to do it - for me - was to use a brush. They didn't seem too angry. Just brushed em off in front of the hive and took the frame and put it in a super that was covered with a damp towel. Had a cover UNDER te super to keep bees from coming back in thru the bottom. It worked as well as anything, I suppose. Only managed 1 hitchhiker, so I was pleased.