Swarm Trapping and Bait Hives

[@MickeyCarvalho]

I enjoyed your video and the best part was that old ruler I have a couple of them 😀

[@beesintheweeds]

Good video Jake! As you know my apiary is literally located in one of these by-ways so I naturally place my traps along my woods. 😁 Seems to work well for me.

[@brianhultquist4281]

Triangle stand provides renewed motivation. Thanks for posting.

[@jakebark23]

Thrilled to hear that!

[@troysimpsonhoneyridgefarm6]

Good job Jake! Lots of good information. Your roof is leaking.

[@jakebark23]

Yes it is! This roof has dormers and two layers of shingles, and an apparent total lack of anyone understanding flashing at any point along those builds. I think it was leaking from day 1 when built in the mid-90s. The decking in the impacted areas was toast when we got the place, otherwise I would have just re-flashed it. Plan is to just knock the dormers off and reskin the impacted roof deck while replacing any structural pieces that need it. 3 years running had it in the budget but spent the $$$ and time elsewhere! The garage is a bit of a piece!

[@bluelab5019]

I use 14x12 national boxes (roughly the same size as a 11 frame langstroth) and use 9x12 frames. Works like a bee magnet.

[@glennmartin8949]

Great video!! How many frames would you put in a 10 frame box ? Thanks!!

[@jakebark23]

If using a single unmodified 10-frame as a swarm trap, 1 drawn comb in the middle, and the rest foundationless frames.

[@glennmartin8949]

@@jakebark23 thanks for responding. Should I use ether wire or line in the empty frames?

[@jakebark23]

@@glennmartin8949 I often use nothing but I am lazy and am used to unsupported foundation-less frames! I find wire is the better product of the two. Bees often chew out fishing line.

[@glennmartin8949]

@@jakebark23 thanks for the info!! Much Appreciated!!

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Saying Hi from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 My best Swarm Trapping was using my Existing x4 Box Langstroth Hive (Deadout) This Huge Swarm came into my Front Garden : landed on the Washing Line and associated Pole ! Then they just went right into this Hive. . . No Ladders or any high Heights to navigate. 👍 Another Swarm : collected from a Garden Compost Bin, is my best Colony. Especially in that the Queen was professionally 'Marked' with a Number (tiny glued on disc.) Guess a Local Beek bought in a Breeder Queen, then lost her ! This Swarm Colony had lived nearly a full bee season. So a lot of Natural Comb and associated Honey ! Whats not to like on getting "Free Bees" ! 😎

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Ps. Liking that specially made Swarm Hive "Stand." 👍 Think I have a dud Wooden Pallet, that once taken for Timber Slats will be the right kit to try and make one of those special 'Stands'. 😏

[@jakebark23]

Excellent! I’ll eventually have a video on staging equipment in the apiary. Always set up a deadout or spare equipment as a swarm trap that just happens to be on a hive stand! Keep it working for you even if it is just “storage” waiting for bees to move in!

[@passinglane1]

Great video. If I catch a swarm at my neighbors (100 yards away), can I bring it straight to my yard or do I need to take it 3 miles away for a period of time?

[@jakebark23]

Great Q. This is one of the few exceptions to the distance rules. You can move recent swarm captures to their new location, they’re very plastic to learning a new home.

[@SylantBill]

I caught 8 swarms last year. 7 of the 8 were near a body of water. My creek or my neighbors in ground pool.

[@jakebark23]

I’ve found bottomlands and riverbeds, really areas that have interrupted agriculture, good spots.

[@anais7915]

Same, my best spot last spring was next to a pond and creek bordered by old trees and surrounded by fields.

[@sleepersix]

How do you find out about those high value wild colonies?

[@jakebark23]

@@sleepersix lots of channels so to speak. Directly informed about bee trees/known locations through swarm collecting. Successful swarm trap hits with high quality stock. Years ago I started a regional swarm reporting and capture program, it has been very informative.

[@donaldmccann3217]

Love the stand just what do they call that stand

[@jakebark23]

On basis I am fairly sure I invented that, I guess call it a Barker stand?

[@donaldmccann3217]

Oh ok cool will do and thanks

[@LisaBaker-cb7bg]

Would any of your recommendations change for a small suburban wannabe beekeeper?

[@jakebark23]

As far as swarm trapping I’ve done it in the urban and suburban environment, the same tricks and approaches work. There are many urban and suburban areas with solid bee populations.

[@Swarmcommander]

Jake...have you ever used Swarm Commander?

[@jakebark23]

I have seen it and have had peers use it. It absolutely works. I just use lemongrass oil out of cheapness and convenience! The manufactured lures are more ‘true’ to scenting smell, have some of the other compounds present that straight lemongrass lacks.

[@bligon11]

What time of year is best?

[@jakebark23]

@@bligon11 swarm season/spring. In my area I’d want my traps up by 3/15.

[@olddave4833]

strait up and down is plumb.