We sometimes get asked to deal with abandoned hives. Not a pretty sight!

Ivy growing into the hive and old honey oozing out of the entrance.

The colony has obviously been short of space at some point in the past.

Rotten woodwork shows it has been abandoned for a few years.

The floor was too rotten to move but bees still happily going in and out.

National super with new foundation placed on top of old Commercial box.

Tape up the gaps. Add a feeder. Wait for bees to move up into new home.

Stage two. New stand & floor. Queen in National brood box. Old Commercial box will go on top.

The old Commercial box will be removed when all the brood has hatched.

End of stage two. The colony is still a bit tetchy despite the new accommodation.