Annette, you have had your fair share of that fiddle faddling with that colony eh? Wow. When I have done any uniting of colonies, this is what I do.
Take the inner cover and lid off the hive that the colony is going to be united with. Place a piece of newspaper on it, cut a couple of slits, place the colony you wish to unite on top, replace the inner cover and the lid. You are done. There should always be ventilation on the top of colonies, ALWAYS....this allows for moisture to escape the colony.
Any foragers will find their way to the new home, or they will go to another colony. They will find an entrance no matter where, they need to go home to unload their bellies and legs, hee, hee. A forager bee that is bringing home goodies for its colony will always be accepted by other colonies not their own because they are bringing in good stuff....they are important....they are not robbers that a colony would be fighting to keep out, they want these girls to come in and help build up stores, hee, hee.
Good luck girl, you have worked hard with this colony and now you must let it go. Have that most beautiful and awesome day, lovin' our wonderful lives, Cindi