How To Bait & Lure Swarm Traps - Swarm Trapping #2

[@DuckRiverHoney]

One year update - I'll be using Swarm Commander in the spray bottle on the outside of the trap, freshened once a week or so. No lemongrass or swarm commander inside the trap as I had several swarms refuse the trap last year and start building comb underneath the trap. I will bait with at least one drawn comb and perhaps some propolis tincture, and use boxes that have been lived in since I have more bee resources this year.

[@chjcmo]

What about the Mann Lake?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

It works, but I got swarms that refused to go in the box. The scent may have been too strong?

[@chjcmo]

@@DuckRiverHoney That makes sense if it lasts that long... I can't imagine they are more advanced than the car scent industry and those thing are SUPER strong at first and taper off to nothing by the time you are supposed to replace them

[@s.fla.beekeepingmangoesand1517]

Thanks for the update.

[@TheHobbyShooter]

Thanks for the update! I’ve also had a couple swarms build underneath the box, but my theory was opposite. That I was hitting the entrance with too much scent so they preferred to build next to it (underneath it). My reasoning is that I see the highest amount of scout activity in the first 4 or 5 days after reapplying sent, then as it wears off they start to lose interest. Who knows for certain? I love your ideas about adding wax and dead bees. Thanks for another great video!

[@davidloucky3566]

Great video again! 2 other points that we thought important: 1. be sure to position 1 or 2 bait hives in your existing apiary to catch your own swarms, since you might miss them otherwise. 2. After catching a swarm and moving it to your apiary, treat with an Oxalic Acid (dribble or sublimation) or sugar roll about 4-5 days later. Last year one swarm lure placed in a foreign location dropped 700 mites in the first week after an OA dribble! Never trust free bees to be clean!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Good advice! I’m planning to ring my home apiary with traps, to catch my own swarms if there are any, but also because it’s a good area for feral swarms. OAV after they’ve got larvae is something I plan to do. I don’t trust ANY bees to be varroa free.

[@joetripp123]

As a 2021 new bee keeper I'm enjoying going through your videos, thanks. Look forward to the trap results. You can always hit your local thrift store and look for a used turkey baster, crock pot, or electric skillet. I bought an electric skillet with lid and adjustable temp control for $1 last week. It isn't pretty but it works great for wax.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Awesome! I'm painting, rearranging hives, adding space, and trying to get all my swarm traps put together in the next week. LOTS to do now the weather broke.

[@tygor81]

I was a beekeeper for 4 weeks in 2020 before my only hive absconded (likely due to small hive beetle). Thanks for your videos. Swarm traps are high on my todo list. Fingers crossed that I can be a beekeeper again this year.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

DO IT. Beekeeping is food for the soul.

[@drjmarkrodgers1428]

Your amazing. Thanks for all the tips. Can’t wait to put out some traps.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I appreciate the kind words. Good trapping!

[@buddyblack9801]

Excellent video! Will be making some adjustments to my swarm traps this weekend based on these tips! Thanks and keep the videos coming.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks for the encouragement, I appreciate it!

[@brettwhiteMusicFan]

I set up my first two hives a couple weeks ago. Today, I noticed a swam had moved into one of my hives! This is exciting! I'm learning, and enjoying your videos. Western-Illinois

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Awesome, congrats!

[@johnhall4783]

Built 4 last year and got my first swarm. Only placed them late in the year (June) due to Covid. Already out this year, will keep you posted.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Awesome, good luck! Swarm trapping is so much fun!

[@diegovd7215]

Great series ! Thank you. May I add: 1.- Drink wine? Keep the corks. Cut the cork and use to block the top of the frames to the box, on one side or both, so the frames do not move during transport. 2.- Have dead queens? Keep them in alcohol. Drops of this Queen Juice might get you lucky with swarms. 3.- Scraped Propolis? Keep you own propolis in alcohol, or buy some tincture. Dilute in a bowl with more alcohol and paint the inside of the new lumber bait hive. Hope that helps ;) Cheers from Switzerland

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Awesome, thanks! Very cool to meet someone from Switzerland!

[@harlankraft578]

Thanks for all the really good information!!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

👍

[@haroldmarsh5156]

More GOOD Info that I missed the first time, Thank You for all you do

[@DuckRiverHoney]

👍

[@strugglingbeekeepermarkcot9642]

Great video buddy thanks for sharing. I will be putting out 10 swarm traps this year here in West Virginia. I am going to bait 5 with lemon grass oil and 5 with swarm commander. Hope you all have a great weekend.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’m planning to number mine with ear tags and lure the odd numbers with one and even numbers with the other. We’ll see how it turns out. I may have to find a small spray bottle for the LGO...that swarm commander bottle is downright handy.

[@jay90374]

Very helpful! 😀👏

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@Mandbec]

Thank you! Looking forward to your experiment! Great info!

[@PrestonCovell]

Thanks for the articles. I am putting out 2 swamp traps this year. Got old 10 frame boxes I converted over. Coated them both inside with wax and baiting each with old brood comb and heavy waxed frames. Also have a bottle of swarm commander ready too. We shall see how they work.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Get them in the right spot and it sounds like a winning combo.

[@g.morris570]

This helped me as a new beekeeper catch my own bees when they swarmed.. thank you!!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Awesome, thanks for letting me know!

[@speedfreak7371]

I love your videos. I am new to bee keeping. I caught my first hive last summer under my house. I bought the other colony. I will be using your tips this year to catch more swarms.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Awesome story, Thanks!

[@35jays]

Great video as mentioned. Thanks for all the information and updates.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@tomandrews2677]

Very informative, covered a wide range of techniques

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Tom

[@soflynnobrien]

Built 8 swarm boxes this weekend and plan to use some mediums and supers as well. Looking forward to swarm season and free bees!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

The weather broke so I’ve got loads of painting, box rotations and assessments, plus swarm traps! I need to clone myself this time of year.

[@clauspetersen8064]

You are so lucky that it's alowed to use old frams as a bait in your swarm traps. It's not alowed here in Denmark. And thank you for info about extra cavity in the traps under the frams. I'm sure it will inprove the catch. Best Wishes from Claus in Denmark

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks, and good luck!

[@oldgreenwichhoney7460]

Great idea with melting and rolling wax. I used a blow torch to add wax and propolis!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Great tip!

[@campdavidsonfunctionaltrai8583]

I mix commander, lemongrass and neroli oil in a spray bottle with some propolis. It looks like you did not put any old frames or propolis into the sample hive. I like the dead bee and mann lake pouch idea! Will give that a try. Are you making queens? That is a great way to expand and it's a blast :)

[@sunsetheritage]

Holy cow, 2 weeks ago I found your channel and was sub number 194. I just noticed your subscribers are 2.17K now!!! Talk about blowing it up!! Awesome job Nathan 👏👏👏

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks! I think the swarm trapping videos struck a nerve. I certainly didn’t expect it to grow this fast....sort of changes my goals a bit.

[@sunsetheritage]

@@DuckRiverHoney that’s a good problem to have I suppose 😂

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’ve certainly had worse problems!

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

I try to put all of that stuff in the traps to make it as attractive as possible. Great video!!!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

The more bee smell the better! You can overdo the nasanov, but it fades over time.

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

@@DuckRiverHoney Thanks!!!!

[@gonnagetya1433]

Normally I don't like background music as it distracts from the videos, especially when it makes it hard to understand what people are saying. You kept it very low in the background and I didn't even consciously notice it was there till near the end. Thank you. Thumbs up.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I appreciate it! I think it’s a fine line as well. It does help cover breath sounds and stuff which can be distracting. I’m working on getting better at video and editing.

[@Camerondes21]

The mention of scout bees got me thinking on whether the pre-swarming bearding could be influenced by successful scouting. If so this may be a mechanism where bait boxes that are close and easy to find might encourage swarming to some degree.

[@raterus]

Looking forward to trying to catch swarms again this year with this advice, and now that I have a year of beekeeping down so plenty of material now that smells like bees to work with. I tried throwing some Mann Lake lure into those big hollow cardboard swarm traps last year and that did not work at all!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Good luck!

[@taililly2483]

Hello. New subscriber. Hoping to catch some swarms come spring to build my apiary. Thanks for the great info.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Good luck!

[@carldaniels4827]

I have found that dusting/spraying ultra bee inside the box is a fantastic alternative to attract scout bee's + cost conscious.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Neat idea, thanks.

[@dontannery1805]

Just started watching your videos not long ago been keeping BEES since 2013 usually catch about 3 swarms A year using lemongrass I put it on a napkin and put it in a bag leaving the bag open about a 1/2 inch or so Putting it near the entrance I have found that that works good for me never tried anything else but I really enjoyed your video. By the way I am in Arizona lousy place to keep bees but I love it

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Don!

[@KayiFarmJaHoneyBees]

love your video and the various steps!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks, I appreciate it. Swarm trapping is simple, but very finicky. One of those things where multiple things have to be just so.

[@KayiFarmJaHoneyBees]

@@DuckRiverHoney yea true, most times we can only just use what is readily available.

[@jeffsea6490]

Thanks for sharing valuable content~ *BestWishes*

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Jeff! I’m trying...😀

[@awalt26439]

A deep standard hive box, preferably a previously used box with previously used frames, 8 or 9 of them with drawn comb is good. A tight lid and bottom and a 3/4" entrance is also good. Fastened on a tree or a shed about 4 to 6 ft. above ground is good. Like the man says lots of bee smells in the box is VERY good. I have never used attractants out of a bottle. Creatures on wings can cover lots of territory and they'll find the vacant apartment space you have to offer if they need it. Since varroa has moved into North American air space there won't be any feral bees around any more so you'll pretty much depend on attracting escapees from another bee keeper. Good luck.

[@randyjones2101]

I've been t raising bees for while now. I have five colonies. I've made a few swarm traps out of old OSB board. I did not have good success, out of seven swarm traps I captured only one swarm. You have given me some new ideas. I see you call yourself Duck River Honey, Do you live near Duck River in Tennessee. I do. Also do you operate a equipment supply? Great teachings I enjoy them.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I'm right on the Duck River, no on the equipment supply. I barely have time enough for everything I'm doing now! Thanks for the encouraging words, luck trapping this year.

[@jayevans1159]

Thank you for the video and the information. New to this , this year. Have a two nucs stacked swarm trap, five frames each, waxed foundations, new wood so I rubbed bees wax from a local beekeeper, throughout the trap. Used lemongrass attractant and positioned this near an old unused granary that had a hive that was a supply box of some type, hoping to entice some of those bees to the trap. The trap is mounted on a 50 gallon drum about 7 feet off the ground. Next day I had a swarm attached to the bottom of the platform supporting the trap. But, for four days days now they remain there without going inside. The entrance faces southeast but the swarm is on the north. The hive in the granary seems as busy as ever. Old comb(last year) is in the trap too. Should I capture the swarm and place it in the trap or wait? Thank you.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’d go move them in if they have t done it themselves yet. They can and will reject the trap and go somewhere else.

[@jayevans1159]

Thank you. Lesson learned.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Great video. Over the years i have learned when using lemongrass oil that if i put 2 or 3 drops on a cotton ball and put that in a snack size ziplock bag it will last 3-4 weeks between applications. Works similar to the swarm lure.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks, great tip!

[@ssramage]

Great video! Any recommendations for those of us who may be starting from scratch? I don't have any old comb, etc.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Swarm Commander or Lemongrass Oil for sure. If using new lumber, I would buy a pound or two of wax and paint the insides of the boxes. Some will tell you never to buy wax because it can get contaminated, but for this purpose I’d be fine with it.

[@pnkemp]

I started last year so had no drawn comb. I had a nuc with Starter strips in the frames to give them space to fly around, baited with just a few drops of lemongrass oil on some cotton wool. Got a swarm in under a week

[@DuckRiverHoney]

That’s awesome! I absolutely love swarm trapping. It is so fun checking them, like a kid on Christmas.

[@twc9000]

Great series.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Thomas, I appreciate it.

[@gpendrak]

Thanks again for another great video. I have 4 hives in my back yard. There isn't a lot of room. What do you think it the closest I can put a bait hive to my current hives?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

The closest one I’m putting up is in a tree stand between my hive stands, so about 20 feet. The other will be 100 yards away, then more scattered within a mile. I’d say do what you can and if it works GREAT! If not, you’re not out much.

[@MarkThomas123]

I saw a video that referred to the Honey Bee Democracy and said that Lemongrass and Neroli Oil together 2 drops Lemongrass to one Neroli was the closest to the swarm pheremone you could get.. But, I do not have the book, or could have heard it wrong, since you didn't mention it. But, the guy doing the video looked like he was well versed with using swarm traps.. Sounded like he caught a bunch every year and put them all around his area. A couple near his apiary, the rest in his local town/county. You could have put too much. They lightly dribble it on a cotton ball, not wet, and put it in a snack bag and zip it half closed and put it in the back of the box and one drop of the mix on the bottom of the frame closest to the door and one drop just below the entrance hole inside the box, which was 1-3/4" above the floor of the trap, I believe. It's probably what the swarm commander is... The videos were by a bee club and a bunch of the guys were swarm chasers.. Just for what it's worth.. I did not save the videos.. Oops,, I have one of them.. Here you go on the 2 to 1 mix, and this guy uses the tincture on all of his new wood. Has several videos on making it.. Pretty simple.. I started some today.. And, another fella just heated it on the end of his hive tool with a torch and smeered it in his boxes. Hope that helps.. I like your idea of the folding stands.. Lots of very tall trees in my area and not many limbs 15 feet up.. They start around 50 or so, so, might try some flavor of that. Lots of them are leaning to one side.. One extra board screwed to your platform and just lightly screwed into the tree should work on the one slanted the wrong way.. Ha... I built 7 last fall. The tall 6 frame versions. 3/4 ply front/bottom and back and 1/4" sides. Late again, but, fixing to put them up in a day or two.

[@brucematula833]

Great information! Thank You

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@markmurphy8303]

Great video my friend, I also paint melted bees wax into my swarm traps plus a cue tip with a little lemon grass oil and of course old comb frames always works for me. Thx for sharing your vids with us mate.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Sounds like you've got it figured out. Luck to you this year!

[@markmurphy8303]

@@DuckRiverHoney thank you for your reply, also wishing you a great season with your bees.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Mark, I appreciate it.

[@justinlarson2528]

This is my first year keeping bees and I have some extra boxes so I am going to give it a go at trapping! This video came at the perfect time. But as a new beekeeper I am nervous about putting wax foundation out without bees to ward off moths. Should I not be worried?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Wax moths are attracted to brood comb primarily. Pollen or bee bread are especially attractive. They usually won’t bother drawn honeycomb, and I’d be surprised if wax foundation interested them.

[@texasfriendlybeekeepers8210]

Howdy! What is your technique using swarm commander....do you spray lightly on cotton ball and toss to to the back of trap...i usually spray on cotton ball and swipe outside of entrance then toss in box. Rebait every 3 weeks. ...thanks for your videos...well done!!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I spray inside the lid and then just hit the front of the box every week or two.

[@rileyberthiaume702]

trying to catch swarm this year thank you

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Good luck!

[@mattv6021]

I used that same combo with luck the mann lakes lure and swarm commander

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Awesome! I’m super excited to get traps out. I think it’s going to be a warm March this year. Should get them going quick.

[@mattv6021]

I'm from wisconsin

[@DuckRiverHoney]

It’ll be a while for you then....LOL

[@ryanlee8414]

Great video. Have you ever tried scorching the inside of the box with a torch to duplicate a lightning struck tree?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I haven’t tried it but have heard it works. Painting melted wax is easy for me so I do that.

[@andyrusten5748]

Love it.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@busybeeshoneyfarms8676]

Have you tried burning or charring the inside of the swarm traps? I read it somewhere and seems like a good way to remove new wood smell and represent a burned out log cavity.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’ve heard of that but never tried it.

[@35jays]

What software do you use to maximize your cutting for the sheet of plywood? Thanks

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I don’t use software.

[@35jays]

Thanks!

[@downunderfulla6001]

I’ve never trapped before but am interested in having atleast one just in case. I only have one hive. After I paint a box I have been giving them a couple weeks to properly cure the paint smell then swapping it for a box on the hive during my inspections. This gives me a box already lived and used by the bees🍺🍺

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Sounds like a plan! Two hives in my opinion are more sustainable than one. Two can become one if needed, but one alone can die.

[@downunderfulla6001]

Yeah I’m hoping to multiply the hive this year. All up I only plan on having 5 hives total as a backyarder hobbyist. I purchased a full hive in December 2020. In Australia where I live our winter’s are still pretty warm. I’m about to try my hand in making a few queens to service my needs.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I tried queen rearing last year and had some success, some failure. To be honest I'm hoping swarm trapping can give me a yearly supply of queens. I see a few advantages: 1. The queen already swarmed, she's less likely to swarm again same year. 2. Totally passive...I put up the traps, bees move in. No tight schedule like queen rearing. 3. Swarm is a starter colony, so I can leave them as a nuc until another hive goes queenless or I need a queen for some reason. Then just do a combine. In my head it's pretty efficient. We'll see if it works in the real world.

[@MinnesotaBeekeeper]

Odor? Never really thought of this before. Regarding propolis,. In their initial study Dr. Marla Sprivak's U of M group were using plastic filled propolis traps to line their hive boxes. I suppose you could section those up and put in the traps. "Why we care about Propolis with Marla Sprivak", BrushyMtnBeeFarm 13 minute mark.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Interesting video, thanks for the reference.

[@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924]

love the dead bee idea. I usually have old drawn comb I put in, that i dont care if wax moths get, and I like it to have some capped honey and pollen. just one of those. I have some small hives that didnt make it and have bees in the cells on that type of frame, Ill bet they will work great

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I'm sure they will work great. I avoid honey, pollen, syrup, etc, mostly because of ants. Carpenter ants can overrun a box fast.

[@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924]

@@DuckRiverHoney we can get some sugar ants but they are frames I dont really care about, and I think it helps them settle in quicker if they have a frame that is ready for the queen. we dont have lots of swarms around here, I need every advantage

[@DuckRiverHoney]

We’ve got a lot of mixed wood lots with pastures & row crops. So neat sites plus forage area. Lucky to have a healthy bee population here. In a lot of areas it’s not so good, though in populated areas you may get into catching swarms from kept hives.

[@jasonscruggs986]

Thank you I pulled out 9 traps today getting them ready to put out.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I finished painting a bunch of swarm trap stuff a couple days ago. Waxed the insides last night, just need to assemble 200 frames and foundations now so I can bait them and get them up over the next week or so. I'll be glad when I'm on top of the workload!

[@jasonscruggs986]

@@DuckRiverHoney i been wiring and installing wax foundation last 2 days got 30 done so far very time consuming lol. But on a good note I got one of my traps out this evening. Hopefully I will be blessed with a bee 🐝 surprise very soon.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’ll be surprised if I get any before March 18 or 20 this year, but it could happen.

[@wayne8873]

Well....the swarm trap bug has got me. I have Lemmon grass growing at my property. I wonder if this can be turned into oil?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Swarm trapping is a lot of fun Wayne, I'm like a kid on Christmas when I check my traps.

[@wayne8873]

@@DuckRiverHoney just like a little kid bursting to unwrap their present. I love ot

[@wayne8873]

@Bowhunters thanks mate. I will try this. In tropical north Australia it’s hot and raining and Lemmon grass grows like a pest.

[@bumpaj32]

Question...We are starting from scratch. If you don't have any old brood is there something else you can use? By the way..great information and put together very well.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks, frames with foundation, beeswax you can purchase, nasasov in the form of lemongrass oil or swarm commander you can purchase.

[@fredvillines7818]

Still very interested in detailed plans for your trap system.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

From bottom to top: 10 frame bottom board OR plywood, a spacer of variable size - I commonly use a 1x4 which actually measures 3/4" thick by 3.5" wide. Then a medium super with 10 frames in it, and a top - either plywood, advantech, or a migratory or telescopic top lid. All dimensions are standard 10 frame langstroth, so 16.25" wide by 19 7/8" long. Pretty simple.

[@fredvillines7818]

@@DuckRiverHoney Thank you.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

No worries.

[@PadiTetteh]

I am in Ghana. I know African bees are a little different from European ones but for the most part, they're similar. My question is with regards to the hollow space cavity(no foundation frame) preference for bees in your #1 video. Is it OK to use foundationless frames since they're empty and provides some degree of hollowness?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Yes it is, but they can cross comb them fast.

[@boldger13]

@DuckRiverHoney what research do you have about using the dead bees as a swarm attractant? Please site a source that I can read. Thank you.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Hi Max, "I read it somewhere" isn't a source, but that's all I can give you. It was a tip from a swarm trapper on beesource if I remember correctly. I searched quickly but didn't find it. As baiting goes, I think a few dead bees may help to sell the trap, but is not nearly as important as the presence of old comb, nasanov (LGO or Swarm Commander), and waxing the walls if you've got new lumber. Some also scorch the inside of new lumber and report good results.

[@boldger13]

@@DuckRiverHoney I was trying to find a source as well but only found resources stating the opposite that dead bees don’t have any smells long term and in the short term are a detourant when decomposing. Please update if you find your original resource. I’d be extremely interested to read it as well. Thank you for your time.

[@BlanchardsBees]

Old comb, propulis, and some swarm commander or lgo works great with the right size trap and placement.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Sounds like a winning recipe!

[@BlanchardsBees]

@@DuckRiverHoney it was for me last year!🐝😁

[@DuckRiverHoney]

How many did you end up catching?

[@BlanchardsBees]

@@DuckRiverHoney I believe the end count was 7 but only 4 was in my swarm traps. If you would like to see them I documented them on my channel.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I'll do that, thanks.

[@pearlie5252]

Great video!! Question for you as I'm a very beginning stage of beekeeping... Do you use frames with plastic foundation or waxed foundation? I purchased the beehives and it came with just plastic frame and I wonder if it's a bad start Thanks so much in advance🎈🎈🎈

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I prefer waxed black plastic foundation in wooden frames. I use Titebond III with six 1.25” x 18 ga staples per frame. I am using some solid plastic frames this year and think you’ll be fine with them.

[@s.fla.beekeepingmangoesand1517]

Do you use medium boxes as a brood box? Or do you drop medium frames into deeps?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I use mediums for brood and for supers. Also for nuc boxes and swarm traps. FWIW, a single deep is a great size for a swarm trap.

[@s.fla.beekeepingmangoesand1517]

@@DuckRiverHoney Thank you.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

No worries, good luck

[@BrokePhilanthropist]

How long does a typical swarm take from start to finish. I have a tree with 2 queen cells being make at the front door. One is almost done and the other is 8-10 days behind. I just wanna know how much time I have to grab my bee suit.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

It varies a LOT. Some set and are gone in 15 minutes, some hang for a week.

[@dannycrain3485]

Swarm commander. The stuff. Little more money. But what's one swarm worth.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

A package is selling for $125-150. One mates Queen is $25-50.....doesn’t take many swarms to pay for the lure.

[@paulhansen4042]

Nice

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks

[@garyhoipkemier1479]

I am new to your channel. Where is your apiary located?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’m in Tennessee.

[@stephenluna7932]

How did the lemon grass do in comparison to swarm commander?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I talk about that some in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJK5Z4SHr56Lapo

[@stephenluna7932]

@@DuckRiverHoney thanks, new to your channel, I'll check that video out after watching part 3 of this series :)

[@DuckRiverHoney]

👍

[@lifeoftim5388]

Have you noticed a difference between swarm commandee and lemon grass oil?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’m actually going to stop using either inside the trap and will just use swarm commander on the outside. I will use a frame or two of drawn comb inside this year because I have plenty now.

[@joycedahlgren1256]

great

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@darinyauslin9948]

Caught a small swarm and I do not see a queen. Is this common?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Give it time.

[@herbramsey3375]

Your very helpful

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@mjhill72]

I'm curious about trapping a swarm right into a new apiary. I'm brand spankin' new to this so I don't have honeycomb or brood comb. Can you buy brood comb anywhere? Same for the 10th frame with the partial honeycomb: does anybody sell those?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

You may be able to find some from a beekeeper, or try the Bettercomb that Better Bee sells. I’m catching swarms with boxes of foundation and no comb, but they do prefer comb.

[@jimmeyer8093]

How do you handle accidentally catching Africanized bees?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I don't live in an AHB area. I assess colonies during the first few weeks. Swarms starting out are generally VERY docile. If they aren't, something is wrong. If you've got AHB, then kill the queen and requeen, or kill the queen and combine the swarm into a production hive to boost population for the honey flow. After 6 weeks the Africanized bees will be dead as the population turns over. Swarms are a multitool...lots of ways to use them.

[@eddevault4604]

Was that trap set up...a deep box-with medium frames....is that the appropriate amount of open space that you had talked about...I would think you would want all used frames....not wax foundation as part of the setup.....

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Part 1 goes over the setup in detail. It’s worth a watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baWuZWqFnr2bfsk

[@eddevault4604]

@@DuckRiverHoney ....yeah I watched it....I was just wondering about the wax you were using....

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Medium frames in a deep box will work fine. If you have tons of drawn comb you can use it, but swarms are primed to draw comb, so the foundation lets them do that. I have a limited amount of drawn comb and plan to use it in swarm prevention on my hives.

[@eddevault4604]

Yep...I do understand....I’m just trying to get things straight in my mind....as to how it works best....I’ve never had much luck catching swarms...the concept of extra space in the box is new for me...but I’ll try about anything....you seem to have good thought pattern on the rest of it....so I’m persuaded that you may have a great idea....

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Swarms do a good job of picking the very best cavity they can find to move into. So our job is 1. Put the trap where bees can find it, and 2. Make it the BEST option for them. Size, location, entrance, bee smell, all of it plays a part. I do believe that some empty space in the hive helps, but the overall cavity size, entrance size, smells, etc may make more of a difference. I try to do everything I can to up my success rate. If I'm burning gas and time running swarm traps I want to catch as many as possible.

[@herbramsey3375]

I have some wild bee come I was going to get the wax out of it but now I going to use it to trap bees an if u can email me a copy of that list an how u use the old hive boxs I. To the trap I love that to I love your video s sorry about your bees u lost

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@gmskotia1306]

Thank you for valueable information.

[@apatriot1762]

Can somebody lead me to understand why a medium frame is being used in a deep box?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Swarm Trap Types - Pros & Cons, What Bees Want - Swarm Trapping #1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/baWuZWqFnr2bfsk

[@mrslalaolds]

It's been a year, update results here. Chasing links is tedious.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I added a short comment and pinned it. Thanks

[@brucejarrell5707]

Son your an awesome speaker!! Surrender to Jesus and become a school teacher/preacher!

[@stevenmartin3678]

not everyone has access to used bee combs all they have just new hive lemongrass oil. just by luck they catch swarms.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

The new lumber smell can be overcome, but it’s tough. Beeswax and propolis help.

[@gregw3437]

One thing this video does not convey and does not demonstrate (unless I missed it) - if you have well used equipment, that itself is great lure. People may get the idea they need to be using shiny new boxes like in this video - No. Any old trashy, cracked, rotten hives make great traps. If you making a video of the traps - this is important to mention and even demonstrate.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

The more bee smell the better. New equipment is a disadvantage that has to be overcome. Old equipment makes things a lot easier.

[@gregw3437]

@@DuckRiverHoney Exactly. And you should talk about it (with a disclaimer of possible risks). Some newer beeks may not know and forgo the used equipment. I myself did not catch much of anything UNTIL I got a hold of used equipment.

[@Ovenmitt123]

You don't have time for chasing swarms anymore :)