The Bee Preserver; or, Practical Directions for the Management and Preservation of Hives

Most people who have bees allow their swarms to remain till the evening in the place where they have alighted, and do not move them to the apiary till after sunset. This method has many inconveniences, which have been already pointed out by a most judicious and experienced author. As soon as a swarm has congregated in the new hive, and seems to be at ease in it, the most industrious among the bees fly off to the fields, but with a great many precautions. They descend the front of the hive, and turn to every side, to examine it thoroughly; then take flight, and make some circles in the air, in order to reconnoitre their new abode: they do the same in returning.

If the swarm has taken flight in the morning, the same bees make several excursions during the day, and each time with less precaution, as, becoming familiarized with their dwelling, they are less afraid of mistaking it; and thus, next morning, supposing themselves in the same place, they take wing without having observed where they have spent the night, and surprised, at their return, not to find the hive in the same place, they fly about all day in search of it, until they perish with fatigue and despair. Thus, many hundreds of the most industrious labourers are lost, and this may be entirely avoided, if the swarm be removed as soon as the bees are perceived coming out, with the precautions I have mentioned. This sign alone is sufficient. Sometimes I do not even wait until all the bees clustered in front, or on the sides of the hive, are re-united to their companions in the interior, as they are never long in being so; and this plan has always fully succeeded with me.