Swarm in nuc and closed up, how long before I open the opening

[Avocadodude]

First post and appreciate the wealth of information on the site. I'm a first year beek with two hives and wasn't planning on going after swarms, but couldn't let my daughters school kill the big ball of bees. The swarm was a little over a pound hanging on a tree branch(my guess from lifting the branch which felt like 5). I used the cardboard nuc that I got my bees in this year, placed some new frames in it and coaxed the bees into it. I took it home with me which is 3 miles away and left it closed up overnight. I want to move it to our farm (23 miles away), but can't move it for a day.

My question is, do I leave them closed up or open the nuc up for a day?

I'm in So Cal and have them in a cool location with a good breeze blowing through the vents. Just trying to do what's best and not kill them.

I appreciate any help.

[Avocadodude]

Never mind, I opened the nuc (it was warm here) and they left. They loaded up with pollen on the way out...

[bevy's honeybees]

I've had that happen, bummer.
I did a cut out last October and it went to a nearby tree branch after I got them home. I recaptured, they did it again. I recaptured and then put a queen excluder over the hive entrance. They were going to leave again but then didn't, and today the colony is doing very well and is the gentlest of all my hives. It's one of my backyard hives for that reason.

[odfrank]

Was this on wax or plastic foundation?

[Mr.Beeman]

Ingrateful bees! lol

[Avocadodude]

Odfrank, it was rite cell (wax coated plastic). I didn't have any drawn comb here.

I'll remember the queen excluder idea. I would have like to known if the queen was even there.

Thanks for the comments and ideas.

[johng]

Adding a frame of brood from one of your other hives will almost always anchor them in the hive.