Sometimes it is necessary to combine two hives together. If one or both are too weak to make it through the winter, or if one is queenless, this is something you will want to consider. I am going to walk you through the step-by-step process of a newspaper combine.
The steps
Choose which hive should be on the bottom. The hive with the queen or the stronger of the two colonies goes on the bottom. The weaker or queen less colony goes up top. In this way, the weaker colony can benefit from the stronger colony’s warmth.
Take a single sheet on newspaper and place it on top of the bottom colony, after removing the outer and inner covers. One sheet is plenty to let them integrate slowly. Some beekeepers will poke one or two small slashes with their hive tool, but many do not. Either way is acceptable.
The bees chew through the newspaper slowly either way. The paper is to be a scent barrier, so the bees do not fight, but begin to smell like one another before they actually meet.
Put the box from the weaker colony directly on top of the newspaper so the bottom board is not in the way. You will only use one top and one bottom board for this combined hive. Make sure that it is aligned properly, and then replace the inner and outer cover.
Why this works
The bees will become one colony slowly, as they chew through the paper. Their pheromones will blend, and this will prevent them fighting one another. Aggression stays low, since this combination is happening very gradually. Once they meet, the pheromones will have blended together so they won’t be defensive.
Next steps
You will want to do a hive inspection in seven to ten days. You’re looking for normal brood activity, a unified colony, and one queen. (If both were present, they will fight to the death. The stronger queen usually wins.) Remove any newspaper the bees haven’t already removed.
This is an excellent way to boost a weak colony, deal with a failing queen, or combine two colonies to week to survive on their own.