I bought a hive thru Ebay that sat empty of bees and smelled of fermented honey. Took it home and added it (2 brood and 1 honey super) on top of my new brood super. There were a couple of broken frames of honey that I set near the hive and the bees cleaned them off in two days. Then I repaired them. After 3 weeks , I went into the hive to ck how they were doing. The queen had taken over the 1st new brood super and was laying like crazy. The other two supers were being cleaned up of old honey and new honey was already being put into the old cells. So it appears the bees were able and willing to clean up the old hive just fine. I did not think I would get to harvest any honey this year, but now I think I'll be able to take alittle. :P
Yes, it did smell in van on two hour trip home. :shock: Stopped and bought air freshener on way and only helped alittle.
Good Luck!!