Author Topic: swarm traps (Read 34871 times)

Marty68 · « **Reply #20 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

tbonekel · « **Reply #21 on:** January 27, 2014, 09:41:11 pm »

Quote from: efmesch on January 26, 2014, 04:35:37 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.

efmesch · « **Reply #22 on:** January 28, 2014, 11:46:25 am »

Quote from: tbonekel on January 27, 2014, 09:41:11 pm

Quote from: efmesch on January 26, 2014, 04:35:37 pm
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.

tbonekel · « **Reply #23 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.

Slowmodem · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2014, 12:11:05 am »

The one thing I DO know is that there's nothing better than free bees!

efmesch · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2014, 03:11:51 am »

Quote from: Slowmodem on January 31, 2014, 12:11:05 am

The one thing I DO know is that there's nothing better than free bees!

Especially since they come to you singing happily.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2014, 11:09:16 am »

tefer2 · « **Reply #27 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.

electroman277 · « **Reply #28 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. :'(

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #29 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.

iddee · « **Reply #30 on:** February 11, 2014, 05:42:15 pm »

I would put them out the last week of this month.

electroman277 · « **Reply #31 on:** February 11, 2014, 08:41:19 pm »

Thanks for the information. I am looking forward to giving this a go.

efmesch · « **Reply #32 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.

G3farms · « **Reply #33 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.

electroman277 · « **Reply #34 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.

Jen · « **Reply #35 on:** February 18, 2014, 03:50:42 pm »

ectro- Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

Jen · « **Reply #36 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?

iddee · « **Reply #37 on:** February 18, 2014, 04:42:41 pm »

I would celebrate having a free colony of bees.

Jen · « **Reply #38 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

iddee · « **Reply #39 on:** February 18, 2014, 06:29:15 pm »

Maybe starving?? I don't know why bees do a lot of the things they do.