After the bees are removed, we carefully start removing the comb from the area. This part can be a little sticky as hives are often full of honey. An average hive — about the size of two watermelons — has about 2-3 gallons of honey in it. Hives that have been around for years can have hundreds of pounds of honey.

If we can validate the bees were not sprayed or poisoned, we carefully place a few frames of brood comb in a frame ensuring the new bees will adopt their new hive. It also saves developing bees that are about to emerge.

We try not to use too much comb since it often can contain parasites and disease that could be introduced into our managed apiary. Every colony gets a health inspection before joining our bee yard.