Swarm didn't like new home?

[rigacci]

My wife and I collected this swarm from a Magnolia tree in Ocala here. Lopped off the branch and put them in a large box.

Got home and set up hive and they all marched in, like in this pic.

About an hour later, I saw them out and swarming on the front of our Top Bar Hive. I smoked and brushed them into a small box and put them back in their own hive.

Any idea what might have caused them to swarm on the TBH? Do you think the queen didn't like the new hive and went back out? I will go in there today and see if I can spot her.

Don't have a photo of the TBH, unfortunately.

Thank you for any opinions or suggestions.

[apisbees]

The bees left the hive and tried to join another colony.
Maybe the queen was lost. I would suggest giving the swarm a frame of brood with eggs and young brood. then if they are queenless they can raise a new queen.
Any chemical residue that would cause the bees to reject the hive/comb? had SHB slimed the frames?

[kebee]

 I had one to go after I put it in a hive also, had to go up around 12 feet and get them, had to buy a 10 ft ladder also. Got in box, stop up entrance, moved to yard, waited until next day, unstop entrance, walked away to get medium box and feeder, went back with it and they were out and away. The box and frames were new. Took the ladder back to home depot was so mad.

Ken

[rigacci]

apisbees I think you are right. I need to go in there tomorrow and check for their queen. Considering the nice clump they were in when I found them, I think she was there but maybe she did not make it into the hive or decided she didn't like it?

No, the hive is a few months old. Just painted the outside with 2 coats of Kilz and one of a decent quality exterior white.

Thanks