A Better 5 Gal bucket Swarm Trap - Beekeeping

Rich makes his version of a 5 gallon swarm trap out of an ordinary bucket and a few tools. Step by step, he shows you how to do it, and why he does it this way.
How to make propolis sludge -
• Beekeeping - Tips and ...

[@JasonEmery9]

I have caught two swarms so far this season, but so far none with ‘bucket’ design. One was a passive catch with a dead out hive that was sitting on a pallet, about 6 inches off the ground. The other was a ten frame deep, sitting a shallow super (no frames), on a roof about 9 feet off the ground

[@silvert749]

Thank you so much, i love to try it here in Uganda. Let's keep in touch.

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

In Uganda, you should look for some of my later videos on bucket traps where I wrap them in in reflectex if the bucket is not in full shade. If not available there, then aluminum foil or mylar. Many commercially packaged foods have an inner envelope bonded with mylar that can be recycled and patchworked on.

[@DeepSeaDv]

"That's something that didn't work so we're not going to spend any time on it".....💪😆

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

LOL Gus!

[@BucksBeesS.C.]

I like that idea. Good info from S.C.

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LucBeeHiveNB]

Thank for your creative work and knowledge.

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching my videos.

[@TheBanjoman]

That is a great idea.

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

You’re welcome and stay tuned for more improvements.

[@co-note8982]

Thank you for sharing your BeeKpn work ...

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

FYI, at less than a month, I have caught my third swarm in that bucket!

[@zionhoneybeesfarm1235]

Great work

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Glad you like it.

[@JasonEmery9]

I have had some success trapping swarms with the design that features a brood box over a smaller box with a round hole drilled into the side. I've tried the 'bucket' design without much luck. One thing different about your design is the placement of the hole near the bottom of the bucket. I'll give that a try.

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Trying to visualize your set up. A 10 frame deep with an adaptive bottom board mating to a smaller box with the entrance in it so you can just remove the brood box and set it on a regular bottom board? How much smaller is the bottom box?, and is it permanently in position? Have you seen the article in the March 2024 ABJ. Is it the same idea except that it uses nuc boxes?

[@JasonEmery9]

@@southflbeekeepingwithrich I use either a 10 frame or 8 frame deep, with old frames from a brood box. The deep sits on a box that is 19 7/8" by 16" (10 frame) by 5" high, with a board nailed to the bottom of the lower box. I then drill a couple of 7/8" holes in the side of that lower box. If you catch a swarm, but are slow about removing the 10 (or 8) frame deep, the bees will draw out comb all the way to the bottom of the lower box. (much like if you put a medium frame in a deep box, the bees draw out comb on the bottom of the frame)

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

OK, got it, When you said smaller box, my brain went somewhere else entirely. You added a shallow box of the same dimensions as the brood box to give it greater depth and make it more attractive, just not another whole super. Always a good idea to add volume to a swarm trap.

[@osirissteward550]

i do like the idea of the rope, you don't have to climb up the tree to get it down

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Just remember the brick in the bottom. So it doesn’t wave around too much.

[@LittlePieceOfHeaven.]

Great Info ! Does the Bucket have to be white?

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Any color you want. And in a later video I wrapped them all with reflectex when it got really hot. So mine are all silver now. Many people paint them camo.

[@LittlePieceOfHeaven.]

@@southflbeekeepingwithrich Thanks for the quick reply!!

[@shaneseabolt4217]

What are you calling sludge? Can you explain what it is? Thanks in advanced

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

I did a video on this before, check out past ones. But in short, it is the leftover “sludge” from dissolving propolis in alcohol and is what settles to the bottom. Check out my other videos on making propolis tincture. I use EVERYTHING!

[@benmarshall2996]

how do you make the tincture of propolis?

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

I made a video on doing just that in January 2022 - studio.kzbin.infoV0QsMn0ijGM/edit

[@brettwhite5906]

Have you had any luck with this?

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Incredible luck. This year I had to take them down until I gave away some of the first swarms. I think I am at 11 swarms. I have had other people bring their traps over and set them out then take them home.

[@DonaldRogersBaldEagle]

I was curious what is Sludge there?

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Find my sludge video. After extracting tincture, the propolis is broken down into fine granules and I just save that in rubbing alcohol and paint it on.

[@jljjoubert3611]

Will any colour bucket do the job? Cobus🐋

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Yes, you can use any color. Darker colors make for a darker interior but absorb more heat. I have done an upgrade that solves the heat issue, and that video comes out May 12th (tomorrow as I am writing this.).

[@shantilus]

Did it work?

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Oh yes it worked! It has caught 3 swarms in 3 weeks, and I’ve made two more buckets and caught 2 more swarms with those buckets so far.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

What’s not to like about it . Anything is possible, THANKS

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

So true! Thanks

[@JasonEmery9]

I’m not sure why the ‘bucket’ design isn’t working for me. It is not for lack of trying

[@jljjoubert3611]

Goodday sir. The recipe for that propolis sludge you use will be appreciated. That is to say if you are willing to provide it. Cobus🐳

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

oh yes, I have provided it in at least two prior videos, just search for propolis in my videos.. The sludge is what’s left over from making the tincture.

[@jljjoubert3611]

@@southflbeekeepingwithrich Thanks,I will look for it. Cobus🐳

[@zionhoneybeesfarm1235]

Did not see u put in any vent holes

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Don't need them, just a few weep holes on the bottom. They even prefer the one hole entrances over the two hole entrances. Remember I don't leave them in there long enough to clog things up.

[@chickenwhisperer8410]

Nevermind I just saw the comment below

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

I'll reply anyway. The Avocado tree bucket caught a total of 7 swarms this season. The others all caught one or two each.

[@nisarhussainkhan2565]

I am started bee keeping please gide me

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

If you are in Broward County, join the BBA and you can get all the guidance you want.

[@rtxhoneybees]

Interesting, except for the part where you insulted the camera person. Perpendicular to the entrance requires no definition to people who know what perpedicukar means.

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

My wife thanks you for being offended on her behalf, and I have been properly chastised for the way I answer questions sometimes.

[@FullFrontalExposure]

@@southflbeekeepingwithrichyou’ll have to forgive him, he knows it all when it comes to beekeeping:)

[@FullFrontalExposure]

Learn to spell perpendicular 😂😂😂😂😂

[@FullFrontalExposure]

@@southflbeekeepingwithrichnotice how he can’t spell properly

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Bee nice 😇@@FullFrontalExposure

[@chickenwhisperer8410]

Did it work?

[@southflbeekeepingwithrich]

Oh yes! The mango tree bucket caught 7 swarms this year. The other 4 one or two each.