hiving a swarm

[wildbeekeeper]

I have recently ( a few hours ago) caught my first swarm and putting them into a hive.  Are there any techniques better than other?  Should I spray down the swarm with water and/or water/sugar mix before dumping them into the super?  Should I lay a sheet down and dump them on the sheet at the entrance?  Any and all help would be appreciated!  Do I need to place a feeder out for them?  THis is new for me... Ive read up alot but want some first hand advice!  much thanks!

[JP]

Welcome to beemaster, please update your profile with your location so we can give you specific answers for your particular area.

Treat a swarm like a new package of bees and introduce them to your set up and yes, feed them until either they don't take feed anymore or until say 8 of the 10 frames are drawn out.


...JP

[wildbeekeeper]

update:

after I opened box, bees were crowded around queen and even though I didnt need to i misted bees with water removed a few frames and brushed them into the hive....let the "empty" box in from of hive and within an hour they moved into the hive with others!  Went out a few hours ago and sat and watched and beese were coming in and out of hive.....have been watching the large patch of red and white clover with flowers and havent seen any bees on them yet......  pretty smooth for first attempt!

Now, how long should I wait to do an inspection?  days, a week or more?

[bhough]

Hello,

I'm a Pittsburgh beekeeper as well! (penn hills)  Funny coincidence as I just caught a swarm last weekend.  The way I figured out what to do was to look through the book I had and MB's website, then use the search function on this website.  The different ideas I received were:

1. Place a frame of wax in the nuc to give them "something to stay for"
2. Feed them to give them "something to stay for"
3. Lemongrass oil,....
4. Inspect in a week

That is basically what I did except for the lemongrass oil and at least anecdotally, my swarm stayed. 

BTW, did you join the Westmoreland group?  I've been trying to go, but haven't made it yet.
b

[JP]

update:

after I opened box, bees were crowded around queen and even though I didnt need to i misted bees with water removed a few frames and brushed them into the hive....let the "empty" box in from of hive and within an hour they moved into the hive with others!  Went out a few hours ago and sat and watched and beese were coming in and out of hive.....have been watching the large patch of red and white clover with flowers and havent seen any bees on them yet......  pretty smooth for first attempt!

Now, how long should I wait to do an inspection?  days, a week or more?

Check them in about 5 days.


...JP

[qa33010]

Got my first swarms this year also, about a month and a half ago.  Weird but I never thought I would get a rush from it.  As long as the queen stayed they stayed.  What JP said and I did have some partially drawn clean comb that probably helped.