First swarm collection a success (I think)

[BeeJayBee]

I agree, wholeheartedly, with Beeno.

The bees are all there but were all clustered on one side of the nuc?

It sounds, to me, as if they might be cold.

Heat rises, so have you got anything you can add above them for insulation? Scrumpled up bubble wrap or newspaper, a space blanket from 99p shop, some bits of polystyrene packaging or some kingspan from a building site would do - put it above the brood box and beneath the roof.

I'm guessing the jam jar feeder is above the brood frames? If so, the space around it should also, probably, be insulated.

If you've made the base/floor of the nuc from a queen excluder it means that all the workers (not the queen and drones) can use the 'floor' as an entrance rather than just the front. This could lead to a nasty surprise, it also makes it much harder for guard bees to 'police'. I think you might be better replacing it with some finer 'varroa floor' mesh, or block it completely for now.

 

[Sir Quej]

Thanks for the advice guys. I built the nuc with a deep lid to allow it to sit on top of the jar, which is sat on top of an 18mm thick crown board. I am moving them into a full hive this weekend so hopefully this will be sorted.

These are all things that would never have crossed my mind tbh...... (ah, the perils of being a virgin beek...lol)

And good luck Beeno, let me know how it goes.

 

[Sir Quej]

Mind at ease.....



Yippeeeeee, done an inspection tonight and all seems well. They were out flying today and on inspection, they have drawn two and a bit sides of foundation, they have pollen stores, I saw eggs and also saw royalty.....

Am well chuffed.....

I still followed the advice and have put a board under the nuc to close off the floor and have filled the gap under the roof with a towel until saturday when I will move them into a full hive.

Cheers guys