newspaper combine

[DANIEL QUINCE]

Gentlemen, looks like I should combine some of the hives I’ve got from cut-outs and small captured swarms. The newspaper method information I read so far does not mention if the hive above the newspaper should have a separate entrance or not. Do we need to “force” the bees to brake down through the newspaper?
Thank you.
AndÂ….do they prefer a certain newspaper, like New York TimesÂ….just kidding.
Thank you again.
Daniel

[George Fergusson]

>Do we need to “force” the bees to brake down through the newspaper?

Yes. They need to feel confined. Upper ventilation is appropriate if the weather requires it, but not an upper entrance.

[DANIEL QUINCE]

Thank you G.F. Should I combine ONLY a queen less hive with a healthy colony, or would they sort out the queen "overpopulation"?

[King bee apiary]

I'd keep the better of the two,maybe sell the other to a neighbor keeper.
When I use the newspaper I cut small slits in it.

[Michael Bush]

In hot weather I give both halves an entrance.

[Laurence Hope]

I did a couple of swarm combines this year. I used the "Fresno Bee" newspaper. It worked fine.

[Lisa in NH]

What do you use as an entrance for the top box? Is the notched inner cover enough as an entrance/ventilation or should I drill a hole in the upper box? And if I need to drill a hole what size is best?

Thanks!
Lisa Smith
Indian Brook Farm
Swanzey, NH

[HONEYDEW]

A small twig under the edge of the inner cover is enough for an entrance....