Introducing a bee swarm to a top bar hive requires preparing a confined space and timing the transfer to ensure the colony accepts the new vessel. To succeed, you must restrict the hive's internal volume using a follower board, transfer the bees at dusk when flight activity is low, and immediately provide syrup to stimulate comb building.
Success relies on making a large, empty wooden cavity feel like a secure, manageable home. By temporarily shrinking the hive's interior and providing immediate food sources, you significantly reduce the risk of the swarm "absconding," or abandoning the hive shortly after installation.
Preparing the Hive Architecture
Creating a Manageable Volume
A full-sized top bar hive is too large for a new swarm to defend and heat efficiently. You must artificially shrink the hive cavity.
Use a follower board (a movable divider) to restrict the accessible space to approximately 40% of the hive's total capacity. Alternatively, position the board to allow access to only 8 to 12 top bars.
Configuring Entrances
Security is the colony's priority. Open only one entrance within the accessible area you created.
Ensure all other entrances are tightly closed. This allows the colony to easily defend their new home and regulate internal temperature.
creating the Drop Zone
Before the bees arrive, remove 5 to 6 top bars from the accessible section.
This creates a large opening at the top of the hive, allowing you to pour the bees directly into the cavity without obstruction.
The Installation Process
Timing the Transfer
The ideal time to introduce the swarm is at dusk.
At this time of day, bee flight activity naturally subsides. The cooling temperatures encourage the bees to cluster together rather than fly off, increasing the likelihood they will stay in the hive overnight.
Moving the Bees
Take the collection bin containing the swarm and strictly tip, pour, or brush the bees into the open space you created.
Work efficiently. Once the bulk of the bees are inside the cavity, gently but quickly replace the top bars you removed earlier to seal the roof.
Initial Checks
Wait approximately 3 hours after installation to verify the bees are settling.
You are looking for the bees to be clustered together, likely around the queen. Once confirmed, leave the hive undisturbed.
Anchoring the Colony
The Importance of Feeding
You must provide a sugar syrup feeder immediately upon installation.
Because a top bar hive starts with no drawn comb, the bees need immediate energy to produce wax. The presence of food also acts as a powerful incentive for the swarm to accept the hive rather than leaving to find better resources.
Monitoring Establishment
Continue to feed the colony until they have successfully drawn honeycomb on at least 10 top bars.
If you are working with a package or a swarm with a caged queen, check for her release after 3 to 5 days. If she is still trapped, manually release her by removing the cork on the non-candy end of the cage.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
The Risk of Absconding
The most significant risk with a new top bar hive is absconding. Because the hive has no "bee smell" (pheromones) or existing comb, swarms often view it as unsuitable and may leave within days.
Restrictive spacing and heavy feeding are your primary defenses against this.
Overwintering Challenges
While not an immediate installation issue, be aware that top bar hives have specific overwintering risks.
Bees in these hives can starve even with food present if the cluster moves to one side while honey stores remain on the other. Proper management of the follower board throughout the season is critical to prevent this separation.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
- If your primary focus is colony retention: Prioritize heavy feeding of sugar syrup until the colony has drawn out at least 10 combs, as this investment anchors them to the location.
- If your primary focus is calm handling: Ensure you install the swarm at dusk; attempting this during the heat of the day often results in confused, agitated bees taking flight immediately.
The goal is to transition the swarm from a loose cluster to a settled colony by mimicking the cozy, resource-rich environment of a natural hollow.
Summary Table:
| Step | Action Item | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Use Follower Board | Restrict space to 8-12 top bars (approx. 40% volume) |
| Entrance | Secure Openings | Open only 1 entrance to help bees defend and regulate heat |
| Timing | Dusk Installation | Install at dusk to reduce flight activity and encourage clustering |
| Feeding | Syrup Provision | Provide sugar syrup immediately to stimulate wax production |
| Monitoring | Queen & Comb Check | Verify queen release after 3-5 days and monitor comb building |
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