Bee Tree Bees Swarmed. . . BLESSING?

[Mrs. Jack T.]

Checked bees this morning and they were still in the tree. . . Got home from church a few minutes ago, and they had swarmed in a nearby tree. Praise God we saw them and dumped them into a hive box. . .
Does that just mean they no longer liked the tree hole or we killed the queen in the process of getting them home yesterday? Any ideas?
I do know it will save us a bit of trouble, now we don't have to cut the tree open and fetch them out of it!

So, is this a blessing or should we be ordering a new queen or splitting the swarm between our other 2 hives?

Is it possible the scouts will come back and want to take them away? Should we move the box now so the scouts aren’t looking for them?

THANKS!

[drobbins]

my guess would be that the proper term is that they absconded, totally abandoned the tree, the old combs were turned sideways and they don't like that
that's why I suggested mounting a box over the entrance for them to move into, to give them a new place to go
since you caught them, no matter, this way was easier
I'm guessing you're in good shape
feed em, they have to build a new house

Dave

[Mrs. Jack T.]

my guess would be that the proper term is that they absconded, totally abandoned the tree, the old combs were turned sideways and they don't like that
that's why I suggested mounting a box over the entrance for them to move into, to give them a new place to go
since you caught them, no matter, this way was easier
I'm guessing you're in good shape
feed em, they have to build a new house

Dave

Right on the word. . .I knew that but couldn't think of it!
We had decided to mount a box on top of the hive today but were a bit to late. Hopefully the will take to the box we have them in and stay this time! I put a feeder on it and they are using it, but there is still several flying around. Hope they all find the way.
There is also several flying around the tree we had cut, looked in it and there doesn't appear to be any down in the hole. I assume they'll find the rest of the hive?

[iddee]

Wait one week and check for eggs. If no eggs, no queen. Either combine or provide it with a queen, or a frame of eggs and brood so it can raise one. As Dave said, feed it.

[Ross]

Give them a frame of brood and eggs now. It will help anchor them in the box and they will have the assets to make a queen if they need to.