Build a Russian Scion aka SWARM MAGNET!

Beekeepers, don't lose your bees to swarming! You have worked hard to keep your bees alive all winter, don't let them swarm and fly away! A Russian Scion, also known as a swarm magnet, is the way to go! They are easy to make, and provides an insurance policy to catch your bees on your own property, before they fly away! Every beginning beekeeper and seasoned beekeeper should make one of these!
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[@unicronplanet7408]

Hey nice vid, i got another idea, it works very well. Drill a Pole in the ground (a small log or a stick. Put a small roof on it, and let a string hang down. Put these 10 metres near the hive. It's easy to build and effectiv. Another information: don't melt up your wax for these. Put a small hive near the swarm area, collect some beewax and let the waxmoth in. The pheromones of the eaten wax and the poo of the moth larva is like a magnet to the bees. The pheromones smell until 2 years then you have to put new larvas and wax in the hive. Important pls use just your own wax, because in america is a creepy bee sickness, that will rotten your larvas.

[@humanbeeinglove]

I would recommend drilling some tiny holes into the bucket… smaller than bee-size…. Because the swarm can suffocate

[@WhistleThicket]

This is 10 feet from by bee yard, so bees go straight there.

[@robb4044]

Good vid. That area you're in is BEAUTIFUL.

[@WhistleThicket]

Wnc in the blue ridge mountains

[@so_cal_mom]

So interesting. Thank you!

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

What a neat idea! I have to make a few of these! Thanks!

[@joanhouston7007]

I like the bucket lid idea. I stapled wire mesh onto the 2x4 then grabbed an old paintbrush to coat it in-situ. Easier and less messy than dipping. I glopped on a few good coats and it's good to go. I like your orange tabby :)

[@WhistleThicket]

Thanks! That’s mu, the 3 legged cat! I had a swarm land right next to the scion last year!

[@piggy59873]

just hang a couple of drained frames with empty comb in a near by tree during swarm season. they will land on it. then put them in a hive. hang about 10 ft high .

[@richardkut3976]

Nice bait hive, thanks.

[@eastsussexbeesandwildlife5801]

Brilliant. I will make one tomorrow!

[@WhistleThicket]

It’s easy!!

[@robertessaryjr.2834]

Apiary: noun; a place where bees are kept; a collection of beehives. Aviary: noun; a large cage, building, or enclosure for keeping birds.

[@WhistleThicket]

Yes yes! Of course I know that :) Got so many projects going on! I was actually standing near my aviary filming!

[@robertessaryjr.2834]

👍

[@williamschulz6302]

Great idea

[@WhistleThicket]

Easy to make!

[@kipkristoff1923]

Great idea...and inexpensive.

[@TomDubYeah]

Please fix the audio. Can barely hear you speak then the music blows out my speakers. Other than that great video!

[@WhistleThicket]

Thanks! yes I checked, the audio is not great :(

[@Citystead]

Oh interesting never seen that before

[@amgrossenteich]

!!! However, do not leave the bees in this bucket for long - max.1h - otherwise they will be dead

[@campdavidsonfunctionaltrai8583]

why not add a few old frames instead of the wax screen thingy? Do you put the hole in the side or the bottom. I use traps but I'll try this just for fun.

[@shanepasha6501]

It definitely could be an additional swarm trap to your apiary system. One thing I am concerned about, and that is, once the colony lands, you better be around to lower the lid into the bucket and take them home. A conventional swarm trap would house them for a few days untill you come around and pick them up.

[@WhistleThicket]

Yes this is not designed as a permanent swarm trap but a landing spot. Often, swarms will first leave the hive and do not go directly to their new home. They land on a temporary spot near the hive and can stay for several hours until they move on. I also have swarm traps on my property, this is just another opportunity to catch usually ur own swarms.

[@shanepasha6501]

@@WhistleThicket - Good deal. That makes sense now. Thank you.

[@kentmeredith2945]

I think you can do the same thing with an old brood frame with dark comb. Save the trouble of melting wax and the window screen

[@WhistleThicket]

What I like about this way is you can lower lid right into a 5 gallon bucket. With a frame, you can’t do that, the frame is wider than the bucket!

[@kentmeredith2945]

@@WhistleThicket I just use a medium frame

[@joeschultz3873]

Scion as in horticulture. Rootstock and scion.

[@decaturridgebees8761]

This seems like a really good idea. One thing I’m curious about is why you used the window screen and didn’t just melt the beeswax on the wood? New sub here!

[@WhistleThicket]

You could totally just use wood, I used the screen so I could dip it in the wax pot.

[@linr7342]

Great idea! Also you can mist a little Anise oil on the outside, bees love that stuff. :) Where is the bee entrance?

[@WhistleThicket]

Bees swarm on the outside part of the russian scion....

[@linr7342]

@@WhistleThicket Ah ok I thought it was like swarm trap/box. Thanks

[@billedwards4124]

Good

[@jtelander]

Thanks for the video. Since there isn't a video, I assume that the bees didn't use it last year. Maybe this year will be different. One question I have is whether the bucket is necessary. If I put one up in my yard, it seems that I could simply lower the scion, spray them with sugar syrup and transfer them directly into a new hive body without the intermediate step of putting them into a bucket.

[@WhistleThicket]

There was actually a swarm that landed on the tree! They did not go right on the scion , but same level on the tree, just opposite of the scion! My friend actually made one to lower right into a deep box and used a top the same dimensions as a deep to lower it straight in. I guess the potential problem is that you always have to have an extra hive body that isn’t being used for anything. Of course most beekeepers eventually do have extra equipment after a few years. I like the bucket method, more transportable and cheaper. Also, a small swarm I would put into a nuc box probably.

[@reedjasonf]

Two years on since this video... has it worked for you?

[@jodyreeder4820]

.....What's the update on the swarm trap? Catch anything yet? Wandering if best to touch up areas so the bees can actually crawl around without losing their grip. Gotta try.

[@WhistleThicket]

A swarm did actually land on the tree that had the Russian scion last fall! Not on the the scion, but about 4 feet away on a branch that was at the same level. I have lived on my farm for over 7 years and a swarm has never landed there, or anywhere before, so I got to believe it helped! I will probably dip it in wax again!

[@jodyreeder4820]

@@WhistleThicket well, I heard taking a paint brush and painting the inside and around the entrance/outer area helps, especially allowing the bees walk on the plastic, smell the scents. Another thing being take a steel wool or similar product and run it around the said areas.

[@AndrewAHayes]

Is there any reason you didn't use a swarm trap box and a lemongrass oil attractant?

[@WhistleThicket]

The Russian Scion is another method, an insurance policy. It’s used to attract bees when they first swarm, but before they find a permanent home, which is what a swarm trap is, at least to the bees. It is a temporary landing spot used to attract your bees to somewhere convenient instead of somewhere inaccessible, like 50 feet up in a tree.

[@hatorihanzo3431]

can this not be used to catch random swarmss?

[@WhistleThicket]

Yes potentially. But really a better tool to catch your own swarming hives. Gives the hive a preferred landing spot before they leave your property for good to their new home.

[@davidhaught84]

Great idea!!!

[@WhistleThicket]

Thanks David! Not my idea, but I guess it was used a lot more back in the day in Russia! I have 5 hives this year, hoping to expand more next year!

[@mr.azlansidekhamzahtokki]

What jacket are you wearing?

[@dritch2472]

Is there a reason you didn't just dip the wood in wax instead of using the screening? (Thanks in advance.)

[@WhistleThicket]

My theory was the screening would give them a little better grip to land on. Im sure just dipping is fine!

[@hikmatullahpakhtoon3694]

that cat has 3 legs!

[@raysbees7650]

If you put them in the bucket how are they breathing and not overheating?

[@WhistleThicket]

Hi Ray, I think I just responded to you on Facebook, but the russian scion is meant to catch your own bees in your own bee yard, after they swarm, but before they find a permanent new home. It serves as an attractant so hopefully when your bees find a temporary landing spot, it isn't 40 feet up and inaccessible. You would lower the bees directly into the bucket and then immediately place in their new hive. I could see needing to vent if you can't immediately place in new home. I'm making a new video soon on how it works :)

[@TheBaconWizard]

Shouldn’t be a problem for the 20mins or less that they’ll actually be in there.

[@kwlovesb]

Dunno about Russian, but in English that's pronounced "SEE-ON."

[@WhistleThicket]

No, more like sigh-on, unless you’re British maybe?

[@srae1503]

How many swarms have you caught with this?

[@cheekybastard99]

Where is this located?

[@WhistleThicket]

America

[@susanmarich5487]

I'm sad no one has shown if it works

[@WhistleThicket]

I had a swarm land on the branch near the Russian Scion

[@JG-Zonic]

music too loud

[@brunosturm]

What? Russians don't get my bees. Never

[@user-ue3to3ry2k]

Why is called Russian? You can see on KZbin how the Russians catching bees. And I never see this construction.

[@robertsullivan3970]

Genius