[spencer]

Caught a big swarm that went into 2 nuc boxes baited with Swarm Commander.
Put it into a single deep with 1 drawn frame and the rest with new foundation. Alot of the bees are bearding on the front. I thought that maybe they were crowded and needed another box, but when I opened it that doesn't seem to be the case. Then I thought they were maybe queenless so I grabbed a frame of eggs from one of my other hives. Went to put it in and saw that there was eggs already in the bearded hive. So I'm not sure what's going on.

 

[Gray Goose]

Caught a big swarm that went into 2 nuc boxes baited with Swarm Commander.
Put it into a single deep with 1 drawn frame and the rest with new foundation. Alot of the bees are bearding on the front. I thought that maybe they were crowded and needed another box, but when I opened it that doesn't seem to be the case. Then I thought they were maybe queenless so I grabbed a frame of eggs from one of my other hives. Went to put it in and saw that there was eggs already in the bearded hive. So I'm not sure what's going on.

They may be hot, if possible put them in the shade, if they already oriented, then put a couple short 2x4 on top of the hive with a "bigger" piece of tin or board so they have some shade and are not in direct sunlight.
Also is there some "chemical" in the hive or on the frames , gas, exhaust, oil etc? they are either running away from something, or toward something.

GG

 

[spencer]

They are on a screened bottom board so I don't thing they are hot.
I'm pretty sure there isn't any chemical smell in it.
Maybe I'll just but another box on and see if that helps.

 

[Gray Goose]

They are on a screened bottom board so I don't thing they are hot.
I'm pretty sure there isn't any chemical smell in it.
Maybe I'll just but another box on and see if that helps.

hmmmm I would put a piece of card board, thin plywood, plastic sign, anything to close it off, under the SBB.
they may perceive it as too much opening to protect and be readying to leave. After they have brood, remove 1/2 then 10days later remove the rest.

Bees will not "normally" swarm into a box with a SBB Screen Bottom Board, they perceive it as an opening and fear its size.
GG

 

[spencer]

Sounds good. I'll swap it out for a solid bottom board.