A Mess!

[enrico]

Precise Posts Produce People Proffering Proper Pointers Providing Positive Procedures ...

That might have to be my signature

 

[enrico]

Oh look.....it is!

 

[Mark Scarlet]

Im new on here and (relatively new to beekeeping. 5 years 13 colonies (atm). Id stop messing about, choose a fair day but start AM, strip the hive cut and lift the frames that are good into another brood box on the original floor in the original position. Inspect carefully, hoping to find your queen, then fill spaces with frames (preferably drawn comb). Start gently separating all the brace comb bit by bit and let the workers make it home, by shaking in or ramping and shaking onto the ground. They will make it to the new brood box. Carefully cut to separate the braced comb, lay it near / on the ramp & the brood box (on its side or on bricks the right way up with no roof til dark)on the ground, or shed roof or wherever. You may loose a few workers but hopefully be careful enough to retain your queen. The flying bees will take the stores to safety (mostly in their new brood box), maybe some may be stored by others. At dark put the rest of the comb with stores under the original BB and a temporary bit of plywood as loose roof on it, still on the bricks. Next morning remove the plywood, let them continue to store. Manage the hive carefully and feed (and water) to replace losses. I acquired two neglected colonies (because they were waspy) and were left with space and empty supers on, used this method. Kept an eye on for a couple of days and they had took most to stores. Requeened in spring.

 

[Newbeeneil]

This forum has become sweetness and light over the last 3 months or so. A real pleasure to be a member and the opinions are generally well thought out and very informative.
What has been nice on this thread is that we have had several virgin or novice posters which bodes well for the future.

 

[drex]

Im new on here and (relatively new to beekeeping. 5 years 13 colonies (atm). Id stop messing about, choose a fair day but start AM, strip the hive cut and lift the frames that are good into another brood box on the original floor in the original position. Inspect carefully, hoping to find your queen, then fill spaces with frames (preferably drawn comb). Start gently separating all the brace comb bit by bit and let the workers make it home, by shaking in or ramping and shaking onto the ground. They will make it to the new brood box. Carefully cut to separate the braced comb, lay it near / on the ramp & the brood box (on its side or on bricks the right way up with no roof til dark)on the ground, or shed roof or wherever. You may loose a few workers but hopefully be careful enough to retain your queen. The flying bees will take the stores to safety (mostly in their new brood box), maybe some may be stored by others. At dark put the rest of the comb with stores under the original BB and a temporary bit of plywood as loose roof on it, still on the bricks. Next morning remove the plywood, let them continue to store. Manage the hive carefully and feed (and water) to replace losses. I acquired two neglected colonies (because they were waspy) and were left with space and empty supers on, used this method. Kept an eye on for a couple of days and they had took most to stores. Requeened in spring.

If I understand correctly what you are suggesting is open feeding of salvaged stores. Not a good idea especially now with all the wasps about.

 

[Pembroke]

That might have to be my signature

Perhaps you could add "taking the P for xxx number of years"?