3030, I would search here on Beesource for newbee setups. Sometimes buying an "all in one" kit leaves you lacking in some areas but with stuff you never use. I'd highly suggest you find an established beekeeper to guide you along your first steps on your journey.
Several things to think about...
*8 or 10 frame equipment (8 frame is lighter to lift, but...).
*all mediums or a mix of mediums and deeps (easier to swap out equipment if all one size).
*telescoping w/inner cover (more expensive, two parts) or cheaper one-piece migratory cover.
*screened or solid bottom board or IPM (Integrated Pest Management) bottom board.
*Plastic or wood frames.
*Foundation or foundationless.
*Veil only, jacket, full suit,...
*Gloves or no gloves.
*Are either one of you allergic to bee stings? Do you know one way or the other?
*...and probably I forgot the most important things, but someone else will chime in about it.
Bees are truly incredible creatures with apparently one goal...for their species to survive. The workers will work themselves to death...they will keep working until they literally fall out of the sky. They will repair much damage that we, there keepers, inflict upon their homes and will survive despite our fumbling around. But, you can't simply sit them out there and expect them to thrive. You will have to take care of them, you will sweat a lot, you will get stung...but there isn't anything like picking up a piece of burr comb full of honey that was between two boxes and popping it in your mouth straight out of the hive...incredible!!! Just make sure there isn't a bee on it!!!
It sounds like you need to be working on getting these bees out, so some prebuilt equipment might be worth buying to house the bees in. I would definitely try to build or assemble (from precut pieces) as much of the hive as you can. Maybe build your boxes, bottom boards and tops and buy some pre-assembled frames. Frames are somewhat time consuming. Or, go to the beekeeping store and see what they have to offer. If you were to find a local beekeeper they may have some equipment to loan you until you can get setup with your on.
If you build use lots of Titebond III glue. If you buy pre-assembled equipment, check all joints and cracks and shoot a little glue into those places...giving it 24-48 hours to cure out good.
You may also have to feed the bees once you get them in the hive. Mason jars and ziplock baggies are the easy "on hand" feeders. Both require an extra super (box) to put on top/around. When you get to that point ask how to do it.
But, the first thing is to get those bees in a box first...and out of your house. Though it might be cool to have bees in your house (at first) later on when they have 100 pounds of honey hanging in there and "something" happens to them and they die or leave....you've got a mess. Get them out now before they grow into a bigger colony. It will require opening up the cavity that they're in and taking *brood* comb, the comb with larvae, eggs, and tan capped brood in it. Don't try to save the honey comb as it will make a mess in the hive. Stretch rubber bands over the frames prior to starting the cutout. Cut a length of comb so that it will fit in the vertical height of the frame. Keep the vertical orientation of the comb the same as it was in the wall cavity. Put 2-3 rubberbands on each piece of comb...criss-crossing or vertical or angled across the comb...whatever it takes. Get a queen catcher (little plastic clip that you use to catch queens with) so that if you spot the queen you can *carefully* catch her and place her in the hive still in the clip...this will help lure more bees to the hive and also keep her safely out of harms way. Don't forget to release her down between a couple of frames when your through with the cutout. If you can, keep the hive shaded as you do the cutout.
I strongly suggest you get an experienced beekeeper to help you.
And...don't spray any more bees.
Best wishes on them and I truly hope you can remove them and start a new and*very* good hobby that will give you many years of enjoyment.
Ed
