Punch some breath holes into a cardboard box big enough to hold the swarm. Drop them in there off the branch they’re on. Make sure you get the queen. Leave the box cracked open a bit and let them rest follow the queen in. They will almost all go in. Seal them up so they can’t get out. They can stay there while you get a give box (not more than overnight). Keep them out of the sun and make sure the have ventilation, but can’t escape. Give them somewhere fairly far away from your current apiary. The likelihood that they stay nearby the old nest is slim - that’s why they swarmed. If you’re using Langston hives, you can get one at Big R. Top bar, you’ll have to find someone to lend or sell you one. ~Mark 505-480-3157
On Apr 16, 2025, at 3:31 PM, Gary Looft <glooft@mac.com> wrote:
Hi,
First-year beekeeper here, and just a few hours ago I found my hive swarming, and they’ve settled in a nearby tree. From what I’ve read, I can attempt to capture this swarm in a nuc box, leave them overnight, and introduce them into a new broodbox and keep them. I’m not 100% sure though, and don’t know where to get a broodbox in such short notice. Any advice/knowledge where to pick one up, and how long I have to do this?
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