[Adrian Quiney WI]

I did a combine the other day. I sandwiched the box I added between two sheets of newspaper, the "host's" supers above, and the "host's" brood box below. Early the next morning, concerned about the heat I removed the newspaper (it had been chewed through), but there was a layer of what I presume were suffocated bees. I'll check if the queen made it in a couple of days.
So my question is: When combining hives in the summer what it is the best way to avoid overheating/suffocation? Thanks, Adrian.

 

[Beeslave]

Don't do the sandwich method. Put the box you are combing on top above a sheet of newspaper and leave the cover cracked open for bees to go in and out. After the bees are united put the combine box where you want it.

 

[Michael Bush]

I always leave both halves an entrance. You can prop up the top for the top one if you have bottom entrances and no notched inner covers... but give them both a way to ventilate and to get out...