Michael Palmer adds 4 extra combs to each nucleus colony ( one of foundation and 3 of drawn comb). So, from a 4 over 4 configuration, we put four further combs between the top and the bottom box. These bees were already full before the next flow, with little space to expand. The possibility of them swarming was high, but also, even worse it was getting so hot that they might just abscond. The queen and a lot of workers just leave and dont leave swarm cells. The colony is usually lost in this scenario as workers dont make an emergency cell in time. Also if they do swarm they may still not build up in time as winter is coming and the first frosts may well be starting in just over a month!!
Mike had stored comb and foundation, giving instant room for expansion and space to ventilate better. Rapid intervention was necessary.
