New, fledgling beekeeper here, in Oklahoma. I need some advice.
We've bought a rural home on 10 acres from an elderly couple who were once into beekeeping. The gave us all their old equipment with the house. We have kits for 5 new hive boxes, a smoker, 2 suits, frames, capping knife, wax foundations and a large stainless extractor.
Out in the woods is the last surviving hive which hasn't been opened in over 5 years and has a quite run-down hive box.
I would like to put the hive in a new box and possible have a new topbar hive ready for when they swarm this spring and try to entice the swarm into staying around.
Is this a feasible idea? or would time and effort be better spent trying to buy new bees and leave this hive alone?
Is it difficult to put a hive into a new home?
Thanks.
Eric
SW Oklahoma USA