Late yesterday, there were a few dozen bees very busy going in and out of one of my swarm traps. I didn't see a swarm anywhere, and none of my hives have swarmed. There was no activity at this trap a couple hours earlier. Were these scouts or could the main swarm already be inside? I won't get to open it for a peek today. If they are scouts, how long before the main swarm arrives(assuming it will)? I have never trapped before so I don't know what to expect.
Scout bees alway seem to be in a hurry, they are on a mission to find a new home for their queen. Watch them to see if they are just buzzing around checking everything out, even you, in a very hurried up flight looking at everything fast paced. They will go inside of the bait hive and back out checking everything out. Kind of like a bunch of excited women at a clearence sale wanting to check out everything to find the best bargain even though they don't need it.
Foragers on the other hand will usually be only one or two bees looking for sources of pollen, nectar, water, and not in such a hurry.
Look around in the trees you might find a swarm hanging around.
They may never pick your bait hive and they could be moving in while you are typing this.
G3
Well, they must have been scouts, because they left! There were a few there today, but none this evening. Maybe they are from a hive that hasn't actually swarmed yet? :'(
Update?
Unfortunately, they moved on :'(.
On a brighter note, I found the new queen in my split. Still not in my nuc, though. I added more eggs and brood to it today. I am also doing a cutout tomorrow (5/21). It's my first. The hive is in a porch column that is brick in the lower half and wood for the upper half. The entrance is right about 3 feet off the ground.The homeowner said it has been there for 3 years. I also have a double cutout in the works for this weekend(weather permitting; rain in the forcast). This one is two separate hives in the gables of a 21/2 story house.
Alan