Top Bar Hive Bees currently locked in?

[Ivor Kemp]

Hi advice please.

Gathered a swarm for my bro-in-law who had an empty top bar hive.

Gently poured the bees in but they immediately swarmed out the holes and top and collected in a tree above us.

Cut the branch down with swarm on and guided this into the top bar hive where it remains. Allowed a small hole for flying bees to go in which they did.

For want of something better to do we corked up the holes and replaced all the roof so the hive is now sealed.

Question how long can I safely afford to leave it like this for?

Many thanks.

 

[Polyanwood]

It is easier to make bees stay with a solid floor than with an open mesh floor. If the TBH has varroa inserts, you can put them in for a little while to help it settle.

 

[Ivor Kemp]

Thanks P good advice.

 

[Ivor Kemp]

As an aftermath and for anyone else with this problem - the bees set up home and started drawing comb after being locked in for 24 hours.