First Swarm Collection

[VixyB]

Hi,

On Saturday a lovely big swarm settled on a neighbour's tree. I managed to collect them and got them to walk into a nuc that I had to hand.

I have ordered a hive for them to go in but it won't be here until Friday.

The reason for my post is that I think the colony is too large for the nuc as there are a lot of bees on the underside and a lot of activity at all times of the day and night at the entrance.

Do you think they will be okay until Friday evening when I can get them into a hive, or is there something else I can do to try and minimise the risk of them swarming?

They are on drawn comb except for one new frame which they had almost drawn within 24 hours.

Thanks

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Hi,

On Saturday a lovely big swarm settled on a neighbour's tree. I managed to collect them and got them to walk into a nuc that I had to hand.

I have ordered a hive for them to go in but it won't be here until Friday.

The reason for my post is that I think the colony is too large for the nuc as there are a lot of bees on the underside and a lot of activity at all times of the day and night at the entrance.

Do you think they will be okay until Friday evening when I can get them into a hive, or is there something else I can do to try and minimise the risk of them swarming?

They are on drawn comb except for one new frame which they had almost drawn within 24 hours.

Thanks

I wouldn't have put a swarm onto drawn comb. Drawing comb on foundation keeps them occupied, they consume the honey they brought in their stomachs and any pathogens it might have carried are locked into the wax they produce from it.
Personally I'd swap out the other drawn frames for foundation with the exception of one old brood frame to act as an anchor. My approach is based on having a few colonies so perhaps I'm more blasé than others.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I agree re drawn comb. Swap it for foundation.
Have you two shallows?
They will do on a makeshift floor.......3 strips of 3cmx 3cm or some such, leaving one whole side open as an entrance and a piece of ply or even hardboard acting as a solid floor.

 

[VixyB]

Thank you! Drawn comb was all I had to hand, but am expecting an order of wax today, so can try to swap them over.