If you are proposing to remove frames of (sealed) sugar syrup and then give more syrup, that's not necessary. By all means leave a couple of frames of sealed syrup which the bees can use as feed if they need it, the remainder can be stored for the coming winter. You may wish to mark the frames of sugar stores with a drawing pin or a cross with a marker pen or similar, so you don't extract it later in the season.
I too, don't worry about black comb, as Patrick says, it's fine unless it has lots of drone brood or holes.
For a shook swarm, yes if you can find the queen before-hand, that's fine but not necessary. Ensure that you have a secure board for the bees to walk up that's touching the hive. It will be a bit scary the first time you shake bees out but they naturally walk upwards and will soon get the hang of returning to the hive. It's rare that you'll see an unmarked queen in such an event but you might be lucky. Once she is in, then the bees will surely follow.
When you get drones in the hive, you can practice picking them up in readiness for doing the same for a queen. You will need no gloves or thin nitrile ones and grasp (gently) where the wings are. If you need to mark a queen, you can always use a marking cage - there are a few types available.
I too, don't worry about black comb, as Patrick says, it's fine unless it has lots of drone brood or holes.
For a shook swarm, yes if you can find the queen before-hand, that's fine but not necessary. Ensure that you have a secure board for the bees to walk up that's touching the hive. It will be a bit scary the first time you shake bees out but they naturally walk upwards and will soon get the hang of returning to the hive. It's rare that you'll see an unmarked queen in such an event but you might be lucky. Once she is in, then the bees will surely follow.
When you get drones in the hive, you can practice picking them up in readiness for doing the same for a queen. You will need no gloves or thin nitrile ones and grasp (gently) where the wings are. If you need to mark a queen, you can always use a marking cage - there are a few types available.
May your bees read the same books as you do.