need to combine three weak hives

sc-bee · March 16, 2012, 08:10:36 PM

I need to combine three weak hives and keep the best queen. What is my best option news paper combine two at a time or all three at once?
I suppose a shake out is not an option with one hive having a queen.

backyard warrior · March 16, 2012, 10:11:12 PM

Find the two queens you dont want to keep and kill em off. Take the newspaper and put it between the hive bodies for each hive and let them be. They will combine on their own. Chris

Kathyp · March 16, 2012, 10:50:08 PM

one of my favorite ways is to use old window screens. i kept ours when we upgraded the windows :-) i put the screen between hives and make sure there is an opening for each box to the outside. when i get around to it, i pull the screen out and the bees are fine.

newspaper works fine, but around here it's so wet, the screens are easier and less soggy.

sc-bee · March 17, 2012, 12:31:26 AM

Quote from: backyard warrior on March 16, 2012, 10:11:12 PM
Find the two queens you dont want to keep and kill em off. Take the newspaper and put it between the hive bodies for each hive and let them be. They will combine on their own. Chris

Already off the queens I wanted to off and kept the one. Just was not sure of a three tier newspaper combine. I have only done two tier. Also gonna have a few extra supers of honey and no freezer space. I left it for the bees last year but looks like failing queens. Guess I will combine and move the supers away from the hives in the yard and let the bees rob them out.

Wish I had some window screens Kathy :-D Don't imagine the nylon screen would last long.

Michael Bush · March 17, 2012, 02:15:41 AM

How small are they? This is the time of year for splits, not combines...

sc-bee · March 17, 2012, 06:52:06 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on March 17, 2012, 02:15:41 AM
How small are they? This is the time of year for splits, not combines...

Unfortunately it is. They are small--- queen issues. Bees are staying in the shallows and not moving down. Not much new brood and bottom deep is are pretty well completely void. Bee count is fair and our flow is very close. Hoping maybe I could combine them and get a little return and split them back up if need be or when I can get new queens.

Michael Bush · March 17, 2012, 08:10:22 AM

If I had a softball size cluster I would makes sure they had a good queen and let them build up.

sc-bee · March 17, 2012, 02:28:18 PM

Thanks

My flow will be april-may and then it is over for the year.

Kathyp · March 17, 2012, 02:32:40 PM

a roll of screening is not expensive. i use it when i catch swarms and am out of screened bottom boards for transport.

if you do the 3 tiered combine be sure to leave an exit for each box. it doesn't need to be more than a crack, but they do need to be able to come and go (and breathe) until they combine.