I'll try to be brief - I am a total newbie and have a hive that was originally a swarm, captured by an instructor I took a beekeeping class with (unfortunately he is too far away to be a mentor). After having it only 5 weeks, it swarmed. The box was not 75% full so I hadn't put a second brood box on, but I think it swarmed because of the heat we're having (into the hundreds). I know I should have caught the queen cells but honestly, it had been just over two weeks since I did the last inspection (due to lacking time and the high heat, of course). Anyway, we caught the swarm right as it happened and plunked it into a box; they have stayed put so far, though they seem agitated and there has been a lot of activity outside the entrance. Yesterday I noticed bees leaving the swarm box and happily going into the original box, so I'm wondering if one or both is queenless. The original hive was healthy and doing well before this happened.
What should one do in this situation? Recombine them? Does it sound like they're queenless, if the workers are able to go from one hive to the next without causing a scene?
Sorry if this is an obvious question, I'm new and mentorless until I can find someone in my area.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
S
What should one do in this situation? Recombine them? Does it sound like they're queenless, if the workers are able to go from one hive to the next without causing a scene?
Sorry if this is an obvious question, I'm new and mentorless until I can find someone in my area.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
S