Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Swarms, Cut Outs, Trap Outs and Bee Trees => Topic started by: Marty68 on January 15, 2014, 11:37:19 pm

Title: swarm traps
Post by: Marty68 on January 15, 2014, 11:37:19 pm
i don't have any drawn out frames to start a swarm trap. is it ok to use regular empty frame or would it be worthless to even try it. just trying to stop my bees from getting away if i don't catch it before they swarm.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on January 15, 2014, 11:46:23 pm
I dont use drawn frames in swarm traps. if I did the wax moth would have a field day in them. I use empty foundation-less frames, commercial Swarm lure from Mann Lake AND OR lemon Grass Oil. Started with about 7 boxes, now have a dozen or so and have never been skunked. Usually catch at least four swarms, my record is five in one season. Swarms are comb building MONSTERS!  I would use whatever I had for frames..   I am sure Robo will chime in. If he doesn't, go to his bee vac site and then click on the swarm box link to check out what he does. Good info there!
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Slowmodem on January 16, 2014, 12:09:54 am
A swarm knows it's going to have to start from scratch wherever it lands.  So they stock up on  provisions, ready to start drawing comb as soon as they can.  I have heard a swarm called a comb building machine.  So empty frames will suffice.  I tried a "flower pot" swarm trap that was basically an upside down flower pot with a lid with a hole.  A swarm moved right in and built comb and seemed right at home.  A container with a good lure should be all you need.  (oh, there has to be bee activity in the area, too)
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: rrog13 on January 16, 2014, 05:59:14 am
In addition to what’s been said above, I also melt down any comb trimmings I have after doing an inspection.  I drip that around in the inside of the bait hive and frames,  instead of using a fully drawn out frame.  This way, I don’t have to worry about wax moth going in and destroying it. Not sure how much it helps but……..couldn’t hurt.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Marty68 on January 16, 2014, 08:34:51 am
thanks for the info on it. now i won't have to worry about losing a swarm when it comes time. i will set out a cpl of hives.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: GLOCK on January 16, 2014, 08:47:36 am
What about SPM {swarm prevention management} or do you all just let them swarm ?
Can't get any real honey that way.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: blueblood on January 16, 2014, 08:50:15 am
I use old comb from cutouts and rubber band them in frames and place q-tips doused with lemon grass oil in a plastic baggie.  I have not had problems with wax moths in them.  But, If I did, I would just throw the comb out.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: robo on January 16, 2014, 09:00:07 am
I have found there is no commercial lure equal to the power of old drawn comb.    Spray the old frames with Bt and wax moths are not an issue.   If you have no old comb,  or can't find a local beek to give you some,  then lure is your next best option.   Even an empty box without lure has some appeal,  so don't just write off putting up swarm traps because you have no old comb.   Don't put foundation in the trap, only  foundationless if you put frames in.   I haven't studied it enough to prove to myself that foundation is a deterent,  but my gut feeling is that it is.   Bee don't necessary look at foundation as help,  by nature they build comb from scratch.  So I believe they would see foundation as walls breaking up the cavity.   Here is my experience with swarm traps (not updated with my lure vs. comb testing last year)

http://beevac.com/swarm-traps/
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Moots on January 16, 2014, 09:09:40 am
Like Blueblood, I use an piece of old comb attached to a frame via rubber-bands.  I also use lemon grass oil as a lure, I place it in a plastic pipette.  I picked up on this technique from the gentleman that sold me my original Nucs when I got started...

You can buy plastic pipettes online fairly cheaply, or if you know anyone that works in the medical field or a lab, they can probably hook you up for little or nothing.  Use the Pipette to suck up some LGO, squeeze out most of the excess air, clamp it off, and seal it shut...I use a soldering iron.  If air doesn't re-inflate the bulb, you know you have a good seal.  The smell of the LGO will permeate through the plastic and maintain it's effectiveness for months, if not longer.

Here's what they look like...
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1311.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs664%2Fjeffrobert41183%2FBees%2FSwarm%2520Traps%2FB34E99BE-757D-4F60-A172-32D9088ED29A-252-0000001447958C84_zps4b0f4ed8.jpg&hash=99a93f28abc58cec8eba6f259b00866bd662846d)
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Barbarian on January 16, 2014, 06:41:52 pm
I'm with Glock on this thread.

There seems to be lots of posts about catching swarms and much less about how to prevent swarming. In UK beekeeping classes, much more time is spent in explaining how to stop a colony from swarming rather than how to catch a swarm.

To my jaundiced eye this is one of the differences between the UK attitude and US.

Perhaps we should have a thread on Swarm Prevention ?   :D
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on January 16, 2014, 07:01:45 pm
I'm with Glock on this thread.

There seems to be lots of posts about catching swarms and much less about how to prevent swarming. In UK beekeeping classes, much more time is spent in explaining how to stop a colony from swarming rather than how to catch a swarm.

To my jaundiced eye this is one of the differences between the UK attitude and US.

Perhaps we should have a thread on Swarm Prevention ?   :D

 thats because this is a SWARM TRAP thread, not a swarm prevention thread??
   I like free bees, hopefully everyone else ignores them and concentrates on preventing their hives from swarming  ;D
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: iddee on January 16, 2014, 07:11:17 pm
I think they both need to be taught. Swarm prevention is good, but not perfect.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Marty68 on January 17, 2014, 09:38:07 am
Either way I would like to learn both.  Any thoughts on starting a thread on both
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: jb63 on January 25, 2014, 09:58:19 am
I fully agree with Robo about old drawn comb.My personal experience was that I pressure washed,bleached, new frames and painted a previously productive box. I didn't catch anything for two yrs.Then my neighbor loaned me some old comb and bam, I caught like five swarms.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on January 25, 2014, 10:11:02 am
I wish I could use old comb. The ONLY thing it has resulted in is a massive wax moth infestation..  I think once the wax moth starts, its more of a deterrent to the bees than an attraction.. so that means you have about two weeks to catch a swarm before the comb needs to be tossed in the burn pile.
   Anyone know how detrimental BT might be to luring a swarm?
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: robo on January 25, 2014, 12:13:12 pm
I wish I could use old comb. The ONLY thing it has resulted in is a massive wax moth infestation..  I think once the wax moth starts, its more of a deterrent to the bees than an attraction.. so that means you have about two weeks to catch a swarm before the comb needs to be tossed in the burn pile.
   Anyone know how detrimental BT might be to luring a swarm?

I use Bt on all my swarm trap comb and comb still beats lure hands down.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Slowmodem on January 25, 2014, 04:00:20 pm
I wish I could use old comb. The ONLY thing it has resulted in is a massive wax moth infestation..  I think once the wax moth starts, its more of a deterrent to the bees than an attraction.. so that means you have about two weeks to catch a swarm before the comb needs to be tossed in the burn pile.
   Anyone know how detrimental BT might be to luring a swarm?

My experience with BT is that the bees don't know it's there.  They just go about their business.  I haven't tried it in a swarm trap yet, but will this spring.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Leather Jim on January 26, 2014, 10:31:06 am
I use a bit of old black brood comb rubber banded into a frame. Place that frame all the way to the back of the box. The rest of the frames are empty foundation less ones. Then some lemon grass oil. I've had good luck, about 50%, I'm currently building more traps. I want to put out 30 this year.

Jim
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on January 26, 2014, 12:18:16 pm

   Thanks Robo!  I will get some ordered and give it a try.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: efmesch on January 26, 2014, 04:35:37 pm
What about SPM {swarm prevention management} or do you all just let them swarm ?
Can't get any real honey that way.
It really depends on what you do with the swarms you catch.  They need not be used to start a new hive.  They are very effective in strengthening an established hive that is either not strong enough or that needs to have its queen replaced.

Often I will take two or three swarms and unite them to make one strong hive that will produce an abundant crop in its first season. 
The easiest uniting is done by the newspaper method.  O:-)

The excess queens can be used in replacing other old ones or (after mating, if not mated before swarming) held in a queen bank for later use.

What I'm trying to say is that, beyond the pure pleasure of capturing swarms, when managed properly, they can be a real blessing for the beekeeper.

The one bad side to counting on capturing swarms is that they don't always get caught,  and then you're in a pickle, busy cursing yourself for not having managed your bees in a way that prevented the swarms' moving out from your hive.  :sad:  :'(
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Marty68 on January 27, 2014, 11:55:43 am
thanks for all the info guys. think i'm gonna put one out to see if i can catch a swarm. doesn't hurt to try right
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: tbonekel on January 27, 2014, 09:41:11 pm
They need not be used to start a new hive. 

Why should you not use swarms to start new hives?  If I catch a swarm, it probably doesn't take too long to know it's disposition, but if it turns out in the long run to be calmer than one of the other hives, I don't want to combine too early. I think it would also be smart to see how well the queen lays. If she is no good, then yes combine is the order of the day. But it may turn out that she is some "crazy queen" laying like there is no tomorrow. Then I could use her to do splits later on. I guess I just like to know what I'm getting in a swarm before mixing them up.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: efmesch on January 28, 2014, 11:46:25 am
They need not be used to start a new hive. 

Why should you not use swarms to start new hives?

No reason in the world, if that's what you want to do. 
I was simply trying to point out that swarms can be used for many purposes.
I would suggest though that you keep in mind:  All swarms start out calm.  This can be misleading initially,  the vicious nature of a family can sometimes show up only after considerable delay, and then you have a major operation on your hands.  ;D
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: tbonekel on January 28, 2014, 05:34:27 pm
I misunderstood. I do agree that you won't know the attitude fully for a little while at least.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Slowmodem on January 31, 2014, 12:11:05 am
The one thing I DO know is that there's nothing better than free bees!   ;D
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: efmesch on January 31, 2014, 03:11:51 am
The one thing I DO know is that there's nothing better than free bees!   ;D
:agree: Especially since they come to you singing happily.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on January 31, 2014, 11:09:16 am
 :yah:
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: tefer2 on January 31, 2014, 01:59:57 pm
lazy, your weather has to be fairly close to ours here. Normally, swarm season is pretty much over with before we see any wax moths. BT works great if you leave your traps up all season.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: electroman277 on February 11, 2014, 05:12:42 pm
I am a first time trapper and have a question. When is a good time to set out a swarm trap? I made a couple nucs and would like to capture some of the free bees. Free bees would be great since the frigid temps got my first hive. :'(
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on February 11, 2014, 05:19:28 pm
Georgia will be earlier than here. I put them out about the start of the second week of April, down there it will be warmer faster with a longer trapping season.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: iddee on February 11, 2014, 05:42:15 pm
I would put them out the last week of this month.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: electroman277 on February 11, 2014, 08:41:19 pm
Thanks for the information. I am looking forward to giving this a go. ;D
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: efmesch on February 12, 2014, 03:18:19 am
Welcome to the forum Electroman. 
Collecting swarms is a great way to start with bees.  :)
As to when to set out your swarm traps, the question is very much dependent on local conditions.   Different areas will have the swarming season begin (and end) on different dates, with the weather playing an important part in the process.  You got an answer from Iddee about his area in Georgia, which should probably be good for you.  Others reading his post must realize that his answer is not necesssarily accurate for their regions.
Best bet is always to talk it over with an experienced local beekeeper to get the best suggestions for any area.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: G3farms on February 16, 2014, 05:32:19 pm
Good reply EF! I am in east TN, our swarm season usually starts in the second to third week of April. Your traps should already be put out in my opinion at least three to four weeks ahead of time. This let's the scout bees find them, relay the message back to the hive and other bees are able to check your traps out. Once they have found a new home and decided on it you will not change their mind.
Good luck with it and let us know how it goes.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: electroman277 on February 18, 2014, 11:49:21 am
The weather is forecaste to be warm this week and I had the day off yesterday, so I finished my nucs for swarm traps. I bought some lemon grass oil and placed it on a Qtip and set them out. Here's hoping the scouts like them. By the way I had a girl " Lucy" flying around  the whole time I was working.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 18, 2014, 03:50:42 pm
ectro- Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds  :)
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 18, 2014, 04:23:52 pm
G3 ""Once they have found a new home and decided on it you will not change their mind.""

I'm going to have a couple swarm traps ready soon, it's obvious that I have a laying queen now. Orientation flights a couple of times a week.

These are strange 'black butt bees' that visit my hive. We did find a little bit of info on them online. When it's warm enough, they come to the hive, some go in, and then there might be 7 of them dead on top of the lid. I think they are week ferel bees.

I don't want to habour them. What if I set my swarm boxes out and get a load of these bees.

What Would You Do?
 
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs28.postimg.cc%2Fp58u2ffpl%2FDSCF7898.jpg&hash=bd1a76c3a3143dcf98e91f54aa7b892857526657) (http://postimg.cc/image/p58u2ffpl/)

(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs28.postimg.cc%2Fwqggbn03t%2FDSCF7901.jpg&hash=91bbcadf428d01e264b17ef98da226cb2ec22d2c) (http://postimg.cc/image/wqggbn03t/)
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: iddee on February 18, 2014, 04:42:41 pm
I would celebrate having a free colony of bees.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 18, 2014, 06:17:01 pm
Okay??... do you know what variety of bees these are?

And, why do they make it to my hive and land on the lid and croak?

such a mysterie to me
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: iddee on February 18, 2014, 06:29:15 pm
Maybe starving?? I don't know why bees do a lot of the things they do.  ???
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on February 18, 2014, 06:52:20 pm
hehe.. I am with Iddee. I'd do the happy dance.

       We did find a little bit of info on them online

   Do tell!  What did you find out?
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 18, 2014, 08:32:57 pm
Lazy ""We did find a little bit of info on them online, Do tell!  What did you find out?""

Just that they have a black butt. Possible high bred.

Maybe I just want to know who's moving into the neighborhood.. ya know?
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on February 18, 2014, 08:55:31 pm
Don't know if this helps or not, but the VSH Gold queens I have ordered look JUST like that.. the Queen has a black tip on her abdomen. Only time will tell if her offspring look the same.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 18, 2014, 09:07:35 pm
Hu? Okay, I'll look that up. Thanks Lazy  ;) 8)
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: G3farms on February 18, 2014, 09:33:00 pm
I would be happy that I just caught a swarm, free bees are the best :-)  :-)

I to get the black butted bees, but then again I run all mutts.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 18, 2014, 10:02:11 pm
G3- so then, your hives have all different breeds of bees in them? they all live happily ever after together?

And what is your opinion about these black butted bees and how they get to my hive and I find several on the lid dead?
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: G3farms on February 18, 2014, 10:57:31 pm
I call them mutts because they have no lineage. All my bees come from swarm catches or cut outs. Have never bought a package of bees before. Have bought some queens but not much luck with them. I raise a few queens for myself so they are of the mutt class also. I do not treat my bees but do expect some dead outs, went into winter with 14 hives and a nuc. Have lost one hive due to queenless and one hive and the nuc due to small clusters (small late swarms). So far so good. I am not worried about genetic diversity since new bees from all over are being brought into my home yard. When splits are made the virgin queen is mating with drones from who knows where so the mutt line continues. Some keeps call them survivor bees but that is a whole nuther can of worms.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 18, 2014, 10:59:51 pm
G3

And what is your opinion about these black butted bees and how they get to my hive and I find several on the lid dead?
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: G3farms on February 18, 2014, 11:07:39 pm
Some of my hives have the black butted bees in them and some don't. IMHO it is just a genetic trait that is coming out. The dead ones on the hive top is a good question, could be older bees that just could not make it back inside. Take a closer look at those dead ones and you just might find that their "fuzz" is just about all gone. Some call them robber bees also, and the lack of fuzzyness is from fighting and other bees pulling in them.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 18, 2014, 11:32:13 pm
Mkay. But I don't have any in my hive. They are approaching tho. Just like last summer, they were getting inside, and some of my bees didn't like them, wrestling them down to the ground. I put a robber screen on and all was well the rest of the season, no more black butted bees. The net they were notorious robbers. I'm not going for it.

Thanks for all your imput everyone

 

Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Slowmodem on February 19, 2014, 03:16:20 am
I would be happy that I just caught a swarm, free bees are the best :-)  :-)

I to get the black butted bees, but then again I run all mutts.

That's what I always say:  There's nothing better than free bees!
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: jb63 on February 21, 2014, 11:09:10 am
Jen, I notice more of these black butted bees in the fall and winter.Watch and see if the spring bees look any different.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: brooksbeefarm on February 21, 2014, 11:58:18 am
I don't think it's been mentioned on this post? I have found that if your swarm trap is to small, you can loose a good swarm. :o I've had big swarms come to my 5 frame nucs, only to leave in a day or two, i now use old 10 frame deep hive bodies that i was going to burn, they have the smell inside that scouts look for (along with the LG oil) and a couple of dark comb frames, duct tape works good to cover cracks and holes on the hive body that has seen better days. Five frame nucs will work most of the time,But, when you loose those big swarms that will build up fast, replace the old queen and store enough stores to make it through the winter and make you surplus honey the next year :'( It's not a good feeling. JMHO ;D Jack
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 21, 2014, 12:23:35 pm
Brook- The first swarm I lost last year was one of those Big swarms. I was unskilled with the swarm thing at the time and watched it fly away. We jumped into the truck and headed in the direction it went, but alas, we couldn't find it. Big swarms like that are soo beautiful and alarming all at the same time. This year, because of this forum, and Scott, I'm more prepared for a swarm if I need to be.  ;) 8)
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on February 21, 2014, 02:42:17 pm

   My traps  are 8 frame mediums but are 7/12 deep instead of 6 5/8  I never saw a good reason to cut off the extra width on the boards.
   I check mine about once a week, so that gives a big swarm time to start moving in, and say.. Oh Heck NO! and fly off..
When I do see one moving in, I leave it alone for two or three more days before retrieving them late in the evening or after dark. Haven't had one decide to vacate once I SAW them moving in..
   Have the ability now, so I will get my minion to video me taking them down, and or moving in if I catch them in the act.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Jen on February 22, 2014, 02:47:40 pm
Lazy! A vid would be awesome!  ;) 8)
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: skeeterhawk1960 on March 05, 2014, 03:01:11 pm
I live in South Georgia. Roughly 200 miles south of Atlanta. I put an add on my facebook page looking for swarms in my area. A friend of mine said they tagged me 5 minutes later that a lady had a swarm at her house that she wanted someone to come get. I didn`t get the message until the next day which was Mar 3rd. I called her and someone had came got them that day mar 2nd, so the   swarm season has started in South Georgia.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: efmesch on March 05, 2014, 03:54:36 pm
For several days now I've been seeing scout bees sniffing around and inspecting some of my empty supers-----so I thought the swarm season would soon be upon us. 

Then I spoke to my grandson tonight--he already caught his first swarm of the season today---so we too are there.

Now with our lack of rain, we have to worry about what they'll live on.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Marty68 on March 21, 2014, 07:29:30 pm
Once bees have swarmed in a certain spot how likely is it for them to do it again in the same spot
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: apisbees on March 21, 2014, 08:34:58 pm
It is very likely the previous swarm has left it's phernons the bees secreated to attract all the bees to the swarm location

Sent from my LG-P500h using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Marty68 on March 21, 2014, 08:41:11 pm
Ty Apis with that I might be able to catch my first swarm  gonna get a box ready and take it there this weekend. That's good news to hear
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: apisbees on March 23, 2014, 02:40:04 am
Remember that swarming is a multiple step process. They run out of the hive like a rebellious bunch of teenagers and meet at the local hang out (swarm tree). Then  they come to a consensuses of who's basement to go crash and take up residents in (new colony location). Just because you have finished the rec-room and installed a big screen TV doesn't guarantee they will come to your house (Bait hive with comb and lures). If the majority of scouts come to the consensuses  they want to hang out in the park (in a tree cavity), or behind 7/11 (in a wall) or where ever they decide. It's their choice (the teenagers), no (the Swarm), and just because we have provided what we think is the perfect new space. The bees may not agree.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: crazy8days on March 24, 2014, 05:20:02 pm
I haven't caught a swarm yet.  Where are good places to set traps?  When using foundationless frames do you add a starter strip?  A couple years ago I made nucs using the 1 sheet of plywood prints.  Could those be used or do I need a bigger trap.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: LazyBkpr on March 26, 2014, 05:21:38 pm
A 1.4 cubic foot space is "reported" as being ideal. I have caught swarms in deep nuc boxes, and I have caught them in my medium 8 frame boxes. I think the basic thinking by the bees is that they will choose the best location they can find. If your box is less than Ideal they will still choose it if there are no better locations, however, if there IS a better location they will choose it instead.
   Click on Robo's link to his Bee Vac site and then go to his swarm trap page. Lots of good info on there.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: tbonekel on March 27, 2014, 07:34:27 am
Where are good places to set traps? 

I caught two last year in traps that were placed just inside a narrow tree line next to a large field. And just on the other side of that tree line, there is a creek. I might have just been lucky. I'm going to place the traps in the same location this year and see if it works again.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: efmesch on March 27, 2014, 05:44:37 pm
  Where are good places to set traps? 

Not far from other hives. 
My bait hives are stocked with a few frames  (best if built, or at least, with foundation) and placed near my occupied hives. 
so far this year, three swarms moved into my unoccupied equipment, totally uninvited.  I probablty won't get any more because I'm low on equipment and want to have my available frames for second and third supers.

Today I combined two of the three swarms I collected with two of the three moved-in swarms in order to make stronger families to take advantage of the honey flow that is presently moving into full swing.
The third set of swarms was left alone because I couldn't find the queen of one family, even after going through every frame at least four times.  I didn't want the queens to fight it out, so I let them be for the meanwhile, one hive sitting on top of the other.
With  the second  set of merged swarms I decided to experiment and try a two queen arrangement:  Above the bottom brood-nest and below the upper brood nest I placed a queen excluder (in addititon to the slitted newspaper for merging) and I placed an empty super between the two.  I another few days I'll check to see what happened. Hopefully, I'll need to add another super in between
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Boykins on March 27, 2014, 11:20:34 pm
Would it be ok to set swarm traps on tree stands? Some wood, some metal and anywhere from 8' to maybe 16'.
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: brooksbeefarm on March 27, 2014, 11:51:31 pm
Boykins, that's the way i do it, works great. Jack
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: Barbarian on March 28, 2014, 04:57:09 am
Ef  ----- sounds like you have other keeps in your area,, or is it feral colonies ?

Would the other keeps be "let alone" types or do Israeli prefer to have bees that swarm ?  I think I read (BKQ) that the Greeks like their hives to swarm.   ???
Title: Re: swarm traps
Post by: efmesch on March 28, 2014, 09:08:44 am
--- sounds like you have other keeps in your area,, or is it feral colonies ?

There are other keeps in the vicinity---particularly in the spring season, when the real honey flows start along the coastal area of the country.  As the season proceeds, many of the hives are moved inland, to the east.  As the topography inland moves higher, the flowering develops later.
In my earliest days of beekeeping I used to collect feral colonies but since the appearance of Varroa on the scene, they have all disappeared.  :'(  Unfortunately, there can be no more "let alone beekeeping" in Israel.  :'(

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the swarms come from my grandson, who has (in my opinion) expanded his holdings too rapidly and has not yet developed the techniques of keeping on top of the "game".  He has about fifty hives in my general neighborhood and has been working hard, but not hard enough, to keep all the hives happy without them going into the ecstasy of swarming. 

At least it keeps things in the family.  :D  I've been sharing a lot of my equipment with him, and if I catch any more swarms, they'll be passed on to  him----I've more than recovered my losses from last autumn and I'm not in the position to handle more hives than I have now.