Conclusion - Swarm Trap Design Modifications and Experiments (Part 3)

Was running multiple experiments at once last swarm season with the #BeeBucket. Tried different hole entrance locations on the bucket. Tried different heights in the air. Tried heights from on the ground to 15 feet up.
Had total of 20 BeeBuckets out
10 with top entrances
5 with middle entrance
5 with bottom entrance
Had 5 from year before - all had top entrances
Had a total of 8 Swarms move in
4 Swarms caught in top hole
1 Swarm on mid hole had comb built on outside of bucket
2 built comb in top hole but left soon after leaving just comb
1 built comb on outside of bucket on top hole bucket, left leaving just comb
Second experiment conclusion
Had 4 on ground with top hole
Had 5 up 15ft high in trees mix of all 3 entrance hole
Had 11 in 5 to 6 foot range mix of all 3 entrance hole
Conclusion do not put on ground. Didn't have one swarm come to bucket on ground. Had only one come to 15ft high bucket. With all the rest being caught in the 5 to 6 foot range. Easiest way and most productive for me is to hang in tree 5 to 6 feet off ground on a limb or T post.
Part 1 - • Swarm Trap Design Modi...
Part 2 - • Swarm Trap Setup
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[@wesw5123]

These buckets worked for me, lemon grass worked, I didnt have swarm commander . Good info, subbed, thanks.

[@wesw5123]

Just caught my second swarm with your latest design, again, lemon grass, no swarm commander. Thanks.

[@0hleg]

Would the bees care about the hole being made of plastic. Maybe making the hole stick out more would help the bee scouts find the entrance easier. And it being more familiar. Maybe putting a wood plug with a hole in it through the plastic hole would help. Just an idea!

[@dustonlarsen6436]

I like you design the only modification I would try is to put the hole above the first ring and below the second ring so that the bees have a little bit of a landing strip and the second ring will protect from the rain.

[@dennisbarney869]

Good vid, I get as many buckets i can use at a local donut store with good lids for 2:00 each. Just a thought. I have done only 6 cut out and 0 have been over 10 foot at the bees entrance. 3 of the 6 were 4ft or less including 1 in ground water meter. 15 ft + my butt LOL

[@mudithmanu]

There is a bee hive in the garden inside a upside down pot on the ground. It's similar to the bottom hole bucket you made. But inside a bush so you should give another try. It might work again. Bees come and go from it for two years now. It has a hole about 2inch. Even during heavy rain they don't mind maybe because the plants give them shelter

[@TimeIsHoney]

Not swarming just yet here in Texas. Quite brisk down here at the moment🥶

[@timothymitchell8310]

Awesome!! I just subscribed and am looking forward to more. Easy and awesome simplys warm trap. Thank you for sharing.

[@TimeIsHoney]

Thanks for the update:)

[@raterus]

Catching in buckets is great because it's cheap, but know that larger swarms thrown at the start of the swarm season will pass on all those buckets. These big swarms can easily fill a 10 frame langstroth hive, which volume wise is a little over 11 gallons.

[@OkAdventure994]

Don't think so. I have always caught swarms with them in the first part of the swarm season.

[@TimeIsHoney]

This is what real time, scientific data is like:)

[@BrianJMader54476]

Looking to try this up here in Wisconsin this year

[@terrykelly3239]

Did you notice any preference in bucket color

[@OkAdventure994]

No. They moved into all colors. The only issue is in my climate, the darker the bucket. The hotter it gets during summer.

[@lukeantonio8263]

Nice video buddy 👍

[@OkAdventure994]

Thanks

[@TimeIsHoney]

Agreed:)

[@0hleg]

Also why not drill the air holes higher up closer to the lid. Heat rises and if there’s no holes at the top it just means the hot air will stay in there.

[@bza069]

IDEA: Instead of spreading out bait traps so much, why not put up a LOT of bait traps in the places youve had the most luck ? Its easier for you to distribute, monitor and retrieve them too.

[@PingHansen]

With Swarm Commander, less is more. Too much of that stuff will actually deter the bees from moving into your buckets.

[@OkAdventure994]

You are correct sir. I only spray with one spray once every two months.

[@SilvijaM]

Is it possible that traps are too small, that's why bees sit on it, build comb outside, but do not go inside or leave soon after? It smells good to be attractive, but not comfy for real living. I had a small trap with swarm hanging on it, building comb at it's walls but not going inside. We were lucky to find it before it left. I will be trying bee buckets this season, both 5 gallon and something around 7-8 gallon. I love the idea, just wondeting about size 🐝

[@OkAdventure994]

Good question! From what I have researched the best volume for a swarm trap is around 10 gallons (40 liters). So the 5 gallon bucket may be a bit small for the swarm.

[@TimeIsHoney]

Hey brother, does the bucket color make a difference? Just curious 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@OkAdventure994]

Not that I’ve noticed. But I’m sure the darker the bucket the hotter it gets in the summer time inside the bucket.

[@TimeIsHoney]

@@OkAdventure994 ok cool:) I was thinking that. I’m in south Texas and wax melts off wire foundations here. Thanks for your awesome vids man:) really do appreciate your inspiration to do my swarm traps this way:)

[@kingv3525]

Would putting a bee frame for the bees to build on make it easier to transfer them to a box?

[@OkAdventure994]

You could give it a try. I’ve never tried frames in the bucket before. I’ve had issues in the past with wax moth and beetles eating up the wax on the frames and just find I have no issues at all with them when I paint the bucket with the wax.

[@kevinfinamore3357]

If the holes are 1/4 inch I am not sure moths can get in? I am going to try it...

[@WaleshiddenhistoryMD]

How did you wash it out,? as I have one and it still smells of oil

[@OkAdventure994]

Washed it twice with dawn dish soap

[@WaleshiddenhistoryMD]

@@OkAdventure994 thanks.. 👍