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Just caught first swarm and put it in the hive body. My question is what are the chances of them abandoning the hive.
They are in a 10 frame deep with 5 of the frames foundation and 5 with out. Thanks for the advice.No way to really put a number on it. I ran about 50/50 this year, last year probably 70/30, but factors are so varied. Some may say put some brood in there, but I've never been willing to take the gamble. Drawn comb absolutely helps, but still no guarantees. What did you put in the box for equipment? Good luck! Hope they stay for you!
I don't have any drawn frames to spare. I have a small clump of bees hanging on the side but there are still bees going in and out of the hive. Any suggestions.Space and heat are the keys I've found. I've gone the last two seasons without losing a swarm and have caught about 40.
Here is my recipe:
Give them one more box then you think they need, especially big swarms
previously used boxes
2 or 3 drops lemon grass oil
mostly foundationless frames with just two or 3 frames of drawn comb per box to act as guides. Swarms love to festoon and you want to give them that room
Afternoon Shade
Solid bottom board
Wide open entrances
Move them only after dark their first or second evening to their permanent location and don't put them too close to other hives
Leave primary swarms alone for at least a week, secondary swarms 3 weeks
Good luck. ....Don
If they are still there this morning (doubtful) and it's a small group (less then say a cup) I would just scrap them off the side gently with a thin piece of cardboard and just lean the cardboard right up to the entrance so the bees can walk on in, sometimes bees get stuck. If it's a bigger clump than that you're probably dealing with an afterswarm with multiple queens and there is a virgin queen in that clump of bees on the outside of the hive. In that case I would scrap them off the side and dump them in a small nuc 5' away.I don't have any drawn frames to spare. I have a small clump of bees hanging on the side but there are still bees going in and out of the hive. Any suggestions.