Queen on the front of the hive

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Jan 26, 2015
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Location
Wigan
Hive Type
National
Just a quick question. Swarm caught last week and moved to it's future location but still in the bait hive I caught it in. Just noticed the queen on the front with some attendants. What's the reason for this? Is this normal behaviour? I'm thinking not, but not sure. Would you leave her or catch her and put her back in with a piece of QE over the entrance?
Thanks in advance. Hopefully picture uploads!
 
She went on a mating flight and returned to the bait hive. How long was the swarm in the bait hive and how far did you move the colony.
 
She went on a mating flight and returned to the bait hive. How long was the swarm in the bait hive and how far did you move the colony.

I moved the bait hive about 20 feet or so from the tree they were caught in. They moved in from last Monday afternoon to Tuesday evening (I was away for the night). I put the bait hive in situ last Tuesday night when I came home. They have been there since. She is still on the front and they have been there for about an hour. I'm a bit concerned as there are a couple of wasps trying to move in on her for some reason. The bees are holding them off thus far though.Thanks for the reply.
 
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I would remove the bait hive and put the hive in it's place and pop the queen inside, if you need to move it do it in the winter.
 
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