Once I've stopped rubbing my back and feeling like a complete idiot I transfer my attention to them, trying to banish self-pitying thoughts that my interference will probably spell their doom, and lift a few frames to see how they're getting on. They have supplies of nectar, honey and pollen, as well as some patches of the dark brood cells that will shortly become new worker bees. Things are looking good. There are boxes perched on top for them to store honey in, barred from the queen's egg-laying activities by a grid that she's too big to squeeze through. They're still empty, but I'll transfer leftover stores from the now-defunct colony next week in the hope that they'll start to build up a surplus for me before the end of the summer.