When I collect a swarm rather than dump the bees straight into the brood box I let them walk into their new home.
First put a sheet or something similar on the ground in front of the hive. Next set a board at about 45° from the ground to the hive entrance. Empty the swarm from the box on to the sheet just in front of the board.
The bees should start to walk up the board. It may take some time for this to happen but over the course of an hour they should all walk up the board into the hive.
This is an activity that never ceases to amaze me – one of the wonders of beekeeping.
