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« Last post by gww on May 19, 2024, 08:31:05 pm »
Congratulation. I personally would wait to dark and then set the whole trap where I intend to move them permanently. I always do it as quick as possible cause it is my belief that when they wake up and if it is within the first few days of them moving, I think they think they picked the new spot and are more likely to stay. Some like to leave them till they get brood cause is is less likely that they will leave the babies. It will probably work out whatever you choose.
I like to get the trap back just in case there is an after swarm eight days from now. I have moved swarms just eighty feet and had some portion of the bees go back to the old trap sight but it worked out eventually. The reason for moving near dark is just incase a virgin is on a mating flight she will probably be in at that point. Once the trap wakes up at the place I am going to put it permanently I move the bees in to a hive if I can but know I can put it off a day or two as well.
I have never had a swarm leave but some people have. I used to put one or two drops of lemon grass oil on the floor of the hive I am putting them in but am inconsistent on that and it has never bit me. Some put a brood comb with brood in it from a different hive and that might be the best guarantee but I have only did that once and so far so good.
It is going to work, however you handle it or at least the odds are in you favor. The worst in my view is to let them get established and then try to move them as that gives the biggest chance for them to just return to the trap site rather then stay in the hive. It is the three mile rule where you can move them three feet or three miles and be ok but it is risky to move them 80 feet and expect them not to get lost. My vote is tonight cause then they may think it is their idea. If you move them tonight, maybe partially block the entrance with a little grass that they can move or put a little branch partially blocking the entrance so they kinda know something has changed though they will probably get it just from the shaking during the move. I would do this with a trap being moved just 80 feet or one I let get established even if moving three miles.
Good luck