Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: Lastfling on April 24, 2019, 10:14:57 am

Title: Swarm trap question
Post by: Lastfling on April 24, 2019, 10:14:57 am
Is there any timeframe, generally speaking, between bees checking swarm trap and a swarm moving in? 

I’ve got two swarm traps up and have noticed 10 - 15 bees each day for the past 4 days giving them the once over.  They have been  pretty much there throughout the day. 

I’m happy that the boxes are attracting some interest.  A swarm moving in would be a bonus. LOL.  It’s fun to watch them giving the box the once over -  front, back, top, sides, inside, even the tree it’s attached to.  Now if a consensus is reached they’ll move in.  I’d like to think feral and not mine haha.


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Title: Re: Swarm trap question
Post by: iddee on April 24, 2019, 05:12:20 pm
When you see 20 to 30, you can figure hours.Until then, they likely haven't made up their minds.
Title: Re: Swarm trap question
Post by: Lastfling on April 24, 2019, 05:30:02 pm
Thanks Iddee - I’m not quite to that number yet, but one trap is getting close.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190424/d9923558bbbaf2721db6b4174f172956.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190424/55d02d4fac7b16f40c47004248ebede9.jpg)


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Title: Re: Swarm trap question
Post by: Wandering Man on April 24, 2019, 11:07:44 pm
I had a lot of bees looking at two of my backyard swarm traps last week.  Then a small front blew through and I didn't see any bees anymore.

This afternoon, there were a lot of bees looking at one of my swarm traps.

Then another front blew through ...

 I tried to tell them they better hurry when I could hear the thunder and smell the rain coming.  The bees just ignored me.

I wonder if these bees made it through the high winds and rain.

If they don't show back up tomorrow, I won't know whether to feel sorry for the bees, or feel rejected.
Title: Re: Swarm trap question
Post by: Barbarian on May 01, 2019, 05:55:45 am
I see that you have followed the advice about box and entrance sizes.
I prefer to have the bait hive where I can reach it with my feet on the ground. The hazards of climbing down a ladder with both hands holding a box containing a prime swarm do not appeal.