Swarm Advice Please

[Billb]

Hi there, my bees swarmed under my OMF. Managed to get the queen and only a handful of bees into a nuc. The remaining bees in the swarm appear to be returning to the hive and not the nuc. Any suggestions as to my next step please?

 

[Vortex]

I'd move a couple of frames of sealed brood (as close to hatching as possible) and a frame of stores into the nuc. Don't shake any bees off the frames, and don't move any QC. Pack out the nuc with foundation and replace the frames moved from the hive with foundation without splitting the brood in the hive, i.e. push the brood together and put the foundation between the brood and stores.

 

[Billb]

Thanks very much for your very prompt reply. Will do that asap.

 

[Billb]

Would it also be prudent to keep the nuc closed up for a couple of days in its new position?

 

[Robbo8916]

Would it also be prudent to keep the nuc closed up for a couple of days in its new position?

If all the fliers have returned to the original hive then no, as the bees who are promotd to foraging will orientate to the location of the nuc when they make their orientation flights.

If you have a entrance disc then maybe set it so that the Queen cannot leave for a few days.

 

[Billb]

Thanks for that.