Problems hiving a swam - suggestions

[returningbeekeeper]

I caught a swam this afternoon, its not big but adequate. I tried to hive them in a 5 frame nucleus box by running the up a sheet. This worked but the have stopped at the entrance. I saw the queen.

I haven kept bees for ten years so have no comb to entice them inside. I have put in five frames with ten year old foundation in them. I know old foundation is isn't very successful but its all I have. I put on a feeder with syrup as it was getting dark to try and entice them in.

Suggestion as to what to do if they haven't gone in tomorrow morning as I have to go away for a week tomorrow afternoon.

Many Thanks
Andy

 

[Flatters]

Tomorrow why not try opening up and shake them in, then close up? As long as the queen is in there they may stay and the ones outside will join her inside. Not certain if they don't like it.

 

[johnandyrob]

did you warm the foundation up with a hair dryer to release the smell before using it?

 

[returningbeekeeper]

Thank you for the the suggestions:-
no I didn't warm up the foundation.

By early this morning all but a small cluster had gone in and they entered once the morning warmed up. I think the syrup did the trick, I made sure is well dribbled on the top two middle frames and down he foundation,so they found the feeder quickly.

Many thanks for the help.

Andy

 

[viridens]

Welcome back to bee husbandry, and good luck with your new responsibilities.

Not much has changed in the last 10 years other than prices going up, but there are changes in Varroa management that you may want to catch up with. - Open mesh hive floors, and Oxalic or Formic acid treatment outside of the brood season etc. There is plenty of information on this site!