Swarm Trap Sept 01 2019

[@doctorshoot]

great great thank you - excellent post

[@timmiller2192]

I have made 18 of these traps this winter. Thank You

[@CNCJoeFromRomeo]

Thank you for sharing this and the instructions to build the swarm trap. Much appreciated.

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

What percentage of the time will a swarm abscond if you don't add open brood (if you just leave them bee alone, unmolested in the box?) And...after how long will they stay (for mostly sure?)??

[@beecatcher6653]

I have not had a swarm abscond from a trap. I had one that left after I transferred it to a regular hive body. I believe it was too large for the new box I put it in. Over crowding is one reason they abscond. I never leave a swarm in the trap any longer than necessary. Swarms get to work immediately building comb. They will start to build comb on the bottom of the frames over night. Put them in a good new home with plenty of space and begin feeding them ASAP. That has been my experience. However, I know honeybees have a mind of their own and do not always behave in the same way. I hope that helps. Thanks for your comment. Good luck!

[@timmiller2192]

Do you think I will be okay with all new foundation? I do not have any drawn out available.

[@beecatcher6653]

Sure. A few drops of lemon grass oil is important. If you have a piece of really old dark brood comb, lay it in the bottom of the box as an attractant. I started out with some dark brood comb that I pulled out of an old bee tree. It worked great. Good luck. Thanks for your question.

[@timmiller2192]

Bee Catcher thank you for replying.

[@mikeschickensandgarden3370]

I plan on making a trap or two for next year. Hopefully that’s how I can get colony #2 started. There is a large patch of woods behind where I work in Boardman. Lots of wild flowers and a stream. It looks like a good place to me for a trap.

[@beecatcher6653]

I hope you were able to download the cutlist. It will make building the traps much easier. Here it is, just in case you missed it. drive.google.com/a/chattydolls.com/file/d/1xYAdy7TKH9Q5SVErDdkGBucC4FvUcaWT/view?usp=drivesdk I caught at least 10 swarms in those traps this year. I hope you have good luck next year.

[@Nepenthe6]

Why don't you paint the boxes? Seems they would last even longer, I paint mine with camo paint when I am putting them in more public areas to conceal them.

[@beecatcher6653]

I have traps that are 6 yrs old and still in good condition. Exterior grade plywood lasts a long time. When hanging plywood stays pretty dry. I like the more natural graying of the wood. I see no need to paint them. Camo paint seems like a great idea if you want to make them less visible to humans. The honey bees will still find them. Thanks fo watching.

[@CNCJoeFromRomeo]

Did you bait the trap with anything? like phermone or something? I've heard that lemon grass oil is good for a swarm trap

[@beecatcher6653]

I put 4 frames with new foundation inside plus one with drawn brood comb. One frame with dark comb is enough as a bee attractant without attracting wax moths. I also use a few drops of lemon grass oil at the front entrance. Refreshed maybe once a week. Hope that helps.

[@timmiller2192]

Do you think I will be okay with all new foundation? I don’t have any drawn out comb available.

[@royhendershot]

Can you send me a link on how to build us one trap. Ty

[@beecatcher6653]

The link is in my video: "Swarm Trap Construction". Please watch it. Here is the link just in case you can't find it. drive.google.com/a/chattydolls.com/file/d/1xYAdy7TKH9Q5SVErDdkGBucC4FvUcaWT/view?usp=drivesdk Hope that works. Thanks for watching.