caught first swarm

[Firebee]

Got a call from a friend today about a swarm of bees. Mark Morphies and I headed over and found the swarm. We shook them into a cardboard box. When we got home I weighed the box and bees at 6.75 lbs. I put them in a new hive with a feeder and they were still there at dark. So great to have a wonderful mentor to share their knowledge with me. I have never seen a swarm before, it was wild watching the spilled bees march into the box.

[Wally]

Now weigh the empty box and report back.

Congrats.

Fun, ain't it?

[Firebee]

I checked on the swarm yesterday. The had drawn out 7 out of ten frames so I added another deep. They seemed to be bringing in large amounts of pollen and the top of the combs have honey. I looked for the queen and was unable to find her, I looked for egg and didnt see any. Is it possible they are queenless or has she just not started laying yet.

[Ron Young]

I would think that after five days she would be laying, however, if it was a virgin queen and swarm, then she may not be yet. If she was a virgin queen and is laying, at only five days from when you caught them, it could be a small area. I would give her another week.