Shaking more bees into a nuc

[Boston Bees]

I nuc'd a queen a week ago, upon seeing swarm cells.

Having checked the nuc today, it's OK, but could probably do with strengthening a bit.

Ideally I would shake some bees in from the original "donor" hive that has the queen cells in.

But, after a week, will they still recognise each other as sisters, and not fight? Or is this a bit risky?

How many days do we think bees will still recognise each other as hive-mates for?

 

[madasafish]

Smoke donor and recipient really hard.
Spray the donor bees LIGHTLY with sugar water.
Shake in.
Confusion reigns. Scents all mixed up.
By time they are sorted out,united.

 

[enrico]

Squirt of air freshener!

 

[Boston Bees]

Good ideas both

You know what though - now I think about it, I am tempted just to switch the positions of the nuc and the original hive ......

It will also remove all the foragers from the original hive, which has multiple queen cells about to emerge in 3 days or so.

I wonder what the outcome of all that would be ....

 

[pargyle]

YEP ...Both of the above work ... used both methods. I was a late comer to the air freshener trick and was a little sceptical but it works.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I would prefer to move them

 

[blackcloud]

I've built nucs using frames from three colonies without issue.
I think with two scent identities it's their code for robbing so they fight.
More than two and its code for foraging so they dont.
Maybe

 

[Boston Bees]

I would prefer to move them

To be clear, move what?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Swap the position of the colonies. Put the nuc where the main hive was and vice versa just as you suggested. I was agreeing with you

 

[Boston Bees]

Swap the position of the colonies. Put the nuc where the main hive was and vice versa just as you suggested. I was agreeing with you

Excellent, thanks. I thought so, but wanted to check