Author Topic: Show your swarm traps  (Read 37760 times)

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Offline jb63

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Show your swarm traps
« on: December 11, 2013, 08:11:09 am »
  These nuc boxes have 1 frame of old brood comb and some lemon grass oil
   on a napkin inside of a baggie.
« Last Edit: December 22, 2013, 02:20:14 pm by admin »
I don't know.It was like that when I got here.

Offline riverbee

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2013, 09:31:46 am »
great pix jb, love the close up!
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Offline skeeterhawk1960

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2013, 12:26:55 pm »
Here is mine. It`s got 5 top bars:





Here is a 2 Footer that I built this morning. I`ve still got to add my top bars and build the roof. I guess it
could be a small hive or Nuc.
« Last Edit: December 22, 2013, 01:03:03 pm by skeeterhawk1960 »

Offline robo

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2013, 01:08:42 pm »
Here are a few of mine








« Last Edit: December 22, 2013, 02:19:21 pm by admin »

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Offline skeeterhawk1960

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2013, 01:18:07 pm »
Great pics and vid. Thanks

Offline robo

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2013, 02:47:38 pm »
Skeeter,   Are you strictly a TBH guy?

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Offline skeeterhawk1960

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2013, 05:06:42 pm »
I am just trying to get started. I don`t have any bees yet, other than the ones coming to feed. I will have some this spring, hopefully.

Offline tbonekel

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2013, 05:07:38 pm »
Here is mine. Caught 3 swarms this past spring.









Offline robo

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #8 on: December 22, 2013, 07:47:40 pm »
Here is mine. Caught 3 swarms this past spring.

Hard to tell by the picture but does that hold 7 or 8 deep frames?   That is a good size to attract them. It looks like you have frames with foundation in the trap.   Some believe that can actually hinder luring swarms as it makes the cavity seem smaller, they don't recognize foundation as comb but rather a divider.  Personally I use one old comb frame and 4 wired foundationless frames.  I don't have any experience to back up the foundation claims, but I can say it is cheaper not using it when you put out a lot of traps.   ;D

Anyway, take my comments with a grain of salt as whatever you are doing is working great for you.

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Offline Perry

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2013, 09:29:57 pm »
I guess just about anything hollow is fair game, eh?  ;D
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Offline jb63

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2013, 10:20:43 pm »
Very nice, Thx for sharing Skeeter,Robo and Tbone.  The more people that share the better.
I don't know.It was like that when I got here.

Offline tbonekel

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2013, 11:21:30 pm »
Hard to tell by the picture but does that hold 7 or 8 deep frames?   That is a good size to attract them. It looks like you have frames with foundation in the trap.   Some believe that can actually hinder luring swarms as it makes the cavity seem smaller, they don't recognize foundation as comb but rather a divider. 

They are seven frames. I did put in a couple of frames of foundation. I wasn't sure what it would do. I also had a frame of old comb and a baggie of lg oil on a napkin. When I first put them out, I didn't have any existing hives and the old comb was from an unsuccessful hive a couple of years ago and that stuff was old. This year, I will have more resources to choose from. Now that I have a little more experience, I want to put old comb and go foundationless for the rest and maybe even some top bar style bars in the trap. I want to build a tb hive and put a swarm in it. If I have standard frames, I will have to mess up the frames or cut the comb off and attach to a top bar.

Offline jb63

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2013, 11:44:29 pm »
I like to use every other one foundation-less ;)
I don't know.It was like that when I got here.

Offline G3farms

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2013, 02:34:39 am »
I guess just about anything hollow is fair game, eh?  ;D

Well then according to my Dad, I should have a swarm in my head! ;)
Bees are bees and do as they please!

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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #14 on: December 23, 2013, 09:38:03 am »
I guess just about anything hollow is fair game, eh?  ;D

Well then according to my Dad, I should have a swarm in my head! ;)

   I think that much empty space would intimidate the bees and they would move on!!!    :o   ;D

   It never fails that when I check I dont have the Camera.. the wife used to throw fits when i took it with me so i always had to sneak it and then I never had anything...
   This year I bought my own camera, so will, with luck, get pictures...
   I have in the past used 8 frame medium boxes, and will be using them again this year. They worked!!!  but as usual, I am second guessing my method..   I am considering switching to 8 frame DEEP boxes, and using the medium frames in them..
   The 5 frame deeps I used to use worked also, and i still use them with the medium frames in them, but OFTEN wonder if I am losing chances at larger swarms..
  The larger the box, the harder it is to deal with.. Some locations I have to carry the box up to a quarter of a mile..  When a swarm takes up residence.. I wait until late evening.. go to the spot, screen the entrance, take it down, and carry it back..
   Half a pound doesnt sound like much, until you have carried it through the trees, across the streams and washouts, IN THE DARK, a quarter of a mile back to the truck...
   This is another reason I dont carry a ladder, or attempt to mount the swarm boxes 15 feet high.  I mount them as high as I can reach...  Some spots I can stand on the tailgate of my truck.. and this part I wont change, even if it means I do lose swarms. Last thing I need is falling off the ladder and landing on my dumb head, in the dark, alone, with a box full of ticked off bees landing on top of me....    Those of you blessed by better luck can stick with the tall ladders  ;D
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Offline robo

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #15 on: December 23, 2013, 10:17:12 am »
I am just trying to get started. I don`t have any bees yet, other than the ones coming to feed. I will have some this spring, hopefully.

Well it looks like you are off to a great start.   Best of luck with your bees in the spring.

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Offline jb63

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #16 on: December 30, 2013, 11:20:53 am »
  I thought there would be more pics by now.What's going on?   
I don't know.It was like that when I got here.

Offline G3farms

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #17 on: December 30, 2013, 12:43:45 pm »
I will have to confess, Have not set out swarm traps in several years. This year is going to be a little different though. I have been keeping track of where swarms are being caught by others and myself, pretty interesting pattern. Four hot spots for myself and three from others are almost a sure thing, get calls every year for a swarm catch. I like to pull up google maps and look for a likely place the bees are coming from (big trees or old buildings) and where I could hide a swarm box, or ask permission to place one.
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Offline jb63

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #18 on: December 31, 2013, 10:33:51 am »
That's what I do G3.Find a pattern and set traps.It's nice because people call up,[ not in a panic] and say there are bees in the trap can you come and get them.
I don't know.It was like that when I got here.

Offline Finally Home

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Re: Show your swarm traps
« Reply #19 on: December 31, 2013, 05:28:38 pm »
Just got pics taken today.  They are patiently waiting their next assignment.  Most will occupy the tree stands not being used in the spring/summer.