First swarm

I was out of town this weekend when a swarm landed in a tree in my front yard. Told my 7 year old to put a hive box and bottom board under it and see if they move in. Sure enough they did. I am one proud dad. He helped out with the bees over the last 2 years.

Now just have to move the box out back to the permanent home. They are in a honey super with foundation. Should I give them some time to build before I add the normal hive body?

Here is the tree. Not a very useful weeping cherry...but that was pre permie enlightenment.

john giroux wrote:Now just have to move the box out back to the permanent home. They are in a honey super with foundation. Should I give them some time to build before I add the normal hive body?

I think you could add a hive body (do you mean a deeper one?) underneath without bothering them much if at all. in your situation, operating with only Lang equipment, I would add two deep hive bodies without frames to the bottom and three shallow hive bodies with just top bars to the top. from the current box down would be a large brood nest that wouldn't ever get disturbed, and the top three shallows would provide your honey harvest. unless you get really exceptional nectar flows, it would probably be next year or the year after before they filled in enough to provide surplus for you.

congratulations on the swarm. it sure is nice when they work out so well.

Thanks for the info. I will give it a try.

Looked inside the hive today afer I put the hive in it's permanent spot.
Disappointed that the hive is very empty. A few hundred at best. Thwy did draw a bit of comb but I dont think it is strong enough to make it.