The recommended protocol for a newly hived swarm centers on a specific three-day waiting period. Do not feed the colony immediately upon installation. You must wait 72 hours before introducing sugar syrup to ensure the colony utilizes the honey they carried with them from their original hive.
By delaying feeding, you force the bees to consume the stores in their honey crops to build initial wax combs. This natural "quarantine" process prevents the potential storage of diseased honey (such as American Foulbrood spores) in your new equipment.
The Logic Behind the Delay
Utilizing Internal Stores
When a swarm leaves a hive, the bees gorge themselves on honey to fuel their flight and wax production.
They arrive at your hive with full "crops" (honey stomachs).
Disease Prevention
If you feed a swarm immediately, they may deposit their original honey directly into the new comb.
Waiting three days ensures they digest that original honey to produce wax flakes, effectively eliminating pathogens from the food stores before they can be deposited in the new frames.
Feeding Strategy After Day Three
The Correct Mixture
Once the three-day isolation period has passed, you should begin a heavy feeding regimen.
Use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water or high fructose corn syrup. This mimics the consistency of nectar and stimulates the bees to produce wax rapidly, which is critical for a bare swarm.
Duration of Feeding
Continue to feed the colony heavily until they are well established.
You are looking for drawn comb and a stable population before tapering off the food supply.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Risk of Drowning
Bees can easily drown in liquid feed if the delivery method is not secure.
For new colonies without established infrastructure, a Boardman entrance feeder is often suggested. This reduces the surface area where bees can fall in and allows you to monitor consumption without opening the hive.
Resource Dependency
While feeding is essential for establishment, over-feeding once the hive is full can lead to "honey-bound" hives where the queen has no room to lay.
Monitor the comb construction carefully; once the brood nest is established and natural nectar is available, rely on the bees' natural foraging.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To maximize the success rate of your caught swarm, align your actions with these specific objectives:
- If your primary focus is disease control: Adhere strictly to the 72-hour waiting period to ensure no foreign honey is stored in your fresh combs.
- If your primary focus is rapid expansion: After the initial three-day wait, provide a continuous supply of 1:1 syrup to maximize wax secretion and comb building.
By balancing patience with heavy subsequent feeding, you provide the swarm the cleanest and strongest start possible.
Summary Table:
| Stage | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1-3 | No Feeding (Wait 72 Hours) | Forces bees to consume internal honey; prevents disease spread. |
| Day 4+ | Feed 1:1 Sugar Syrup | Mimics nectar; stimulates rapid wax secretion and comb building. |
| Monitoring | Check Comb Expansion | Avoids 'honey-bound' conditions; ensures queen has room to lay. |
| Equipment | Use Boardman Entrance Feeder | Reduces drowning risk; allows easy monitoring of consumption. |
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