Swarm Caught in My Trap! Now What?

[westmich-erny]

I've got a swarm in one of my traps and have a question.

The trap I am using is a medium super half full of frames placed in a tree about 8 feet off the ground. The swarm appeared sometime this weekend but I'm unsure exactly when. I would like to take the box down and transfer the bees to a larger box and put it about 10 feet away from where it now is. Would it be OK to do that or do I need to move it a couple miles away.

Thanks
Erny

[iddee]

NEVER allow bees into a box with less than all the frames. Finish filling the box immediately, if it isn't already too late. Then you can move it 10 feet anytime you want. They will find it with no problem.

[Eaglerock]

I see no problem with moving them. If they would have swarmed in a tree you would do the same. As long as the queen is in the new hive they will stay. Plus if you use an Entrance Guard you will know she will not leave.

Ed

[westmich-erny]

Thanks.
I guess my thinking on the half full box was to provide a larger open cavity thinking this might be more attractive to them. I can see though where it will be problematic.

[mike haney]

not for the bees. my money says they are already hanging wild comb. let us know. seems late for a swarm that far north to build up enough for winter. feed all they will take the rest of the year and keep your eye on them- you may have to combine them and use them for an early split next year. good luck,mike

[yoyo]

I agree with Iddee. The bees will probably build comb in the empty space before it does the frames. And it doesn't take them long to do it. I have a couple of hives that I took a day or two to put in that last frame. It's a mess to straighten out.

[westmich-erny]

I got to them in time. The transfer went very smoothly. They were just starting to build comb in the empty space and working on the trays. It was a huge swarm. Details on new thread.

[Hambone]

NEVER allow bees into a box with less than all the frames. Finish filling the box immediately, if it isn't already too late.


my money says they are already hanging wild comb.

I learn something new everyday. Thats good swarm info. Thanks for the tips. I will remember that in the future.