> Congrats on getting it. They generally behave very docilely. If they like
> the cavity, they will make comb and get the queen laying as soon as
> possible, generally about a lemon sized bit of comb overnight. If the
> weather is good, one can expect pollen coming in sometime on the first full
> day after occupation. If they behave cohesively -- e.g. hang in a fairly
> tight cluster in the cavity -- and don't break out into a moan when the hive
> is knocked then they're queen right. The flight you saw will be the first
> orientation flights soon after occupancy. If the cavity is not too hot they
> will almost certainly stay. Sounds like you need to get them in a couple of
> Warré boxes as soon as you can. ;-)

Thanks. The swarm is still mostly orienting but it looks like they're settling
in. They're doing some housecleaning. Some pollen did come in, but hardly any
yet. They don't seem distressed though, and they're mellow. I did see a couple
of fights on the landing. The cluster appears to have settled to the left side,
judging by the entrance activity, so I blocked the right half.

I didn't want to disturb them (and I'm out of Warre boxes anyway), so I guess
I'll try growing them down again. I'm going to make some octagonal bodies with
spales ala John for that, and I'll try your resting the box on the Warre handles
trick too. The old Lang is filled with natural foundationless comb. I though of
maybe even removing the bottom bars of the frames so they can just extend the
comb straight down.

Vic Johanson
Fairbanks, Alaska