Opening a Honey Bee Colony

Approach a colony from one side or the rear. Lightly smoke the entrance by gently puffing smoke into the opening along the front. Pry the outer cover up two to three inches along one side. Lightly smoke under the outer cover and lower it over the hive for a few seconds.

Remove the outer cover. Place the outer cover on the ground upside down, to one side, near the front of the hive.

Remove the inner cover and place it cleat side up across the outer cover. You now have a base for stacking any supers or brood chambers that you remove as you inspect the colony.