A couple months ago I answered a call on a small swarm. The swarm was about the size of cantalope or musk melon. None of the beeks I work with was home so I put them in a deep box with frames of foundation, and sat them in the back yard. Had bees in the yard for the first time in years.
I placed as feeder outside the front and put a queen keeper on the entry. After a couple weeks they looked busy and happy so I took off the guard.
Big mistake.
A day later and the box was empty. Not even burr comb, just a couple stragglers and some dirt.
But I still had bees around the flower garden.
Yesterday I was watching some on a humingbird feeder, and took notice of their flight patterns. Up and toward a tree in the neighbors yard.
Binoculars proved the theory. They moved into a hollow branch about 20 feet up in this old maple.
At least they stayed close by.
wayne
Must have been a feral swarm who wanted an abode that reminded them more of home.
yeh, that is good you found them, if your not going to remeove them put out a few swarm traps and catch the swarms the hive through's out the next few years..... you could always requeen the swarms if you want to....