Caught swarm last Sunday and...

[Billybee]

I caught a swarm last Sunday and put it in a 10 frame deep on site with an entrance excluder/includer on the entrance. All the bees march right in when I got the scoop with the queen in it. Picked it up at nightfall and took home.

Keeping the excluder on (because 2 weeks prior I caught a swarm and was told they would not leave and they swarmed again) I have had luck with swarms in the past using the excluder to force them to stay and set up shop.

So TuesdayI see a build up of drones trying to get in and out but, couldnt so (Oh yeah I also added a medium on top with 1 frame of honey. they are drawing comb on either frame next to the honey filled frame) I took it off to try and relive the crowd. While doing so I was watching what they were bringing in. I saw pollen coming in but, not by the ton.

Next thing I know the queen walks out and takes off.

Standing there stunned and sickened I sat the excluder back on and stared. Then she lands back on entrance and wants back in. So I flipped the excluder.

No today after work I did the same thing and what happpens? She walks out and takes off. She returned again and I put the excluder in front.,

So..

Whats going on?

[iddee]

She's probably trying to mate. You likely caught a swarm with a virgin queen, or two queens. Take the excluder off.

[Billybee]

Done

[GSF]

My thoughts as well. I had a hive that had a v queen in it. At first I thought it was robbing but I noticed a ton, and I mean a ton of drones pouring into the hive. No fighting at the entrance either. After some thinking I figured I just saw the return of her mating flight.

The bad part is I took a peep in the hive last Monday and saw nothing but spotted drone brood. Her replacement is on the way.

[BeeMaster2]

She's probably trying to mate. You likely caught a swarm with a virgin queen, or two queens. Take the excluder off.

Not only is she a virgin, she needs to orient herself to your hive and build up her strength. That is what you are seeing. She needs to memorize the area around your hive so that when she goes on her maiden flights she will be able to find her way back into this hive. If she were to go into another hive that looks just like this one she will be killed.
If you have a hive that looks just like it close to it, staple a colored shape on the front of the other hive/s so that they look different.
Notice that I did not say to change this hive while she is orienting.
Jim