Catching Your own Swarm

[40 Acre Bees]

The swarms that I am really interested in catching are of course my own.  I have a few old deep supers that I wanted to convert into swarm traps, but I am unsure where to put them.  I don't think I will be able to get them to high off the ground, but I do have a couple of extra hive stands that are about 20" high.  Will this work possibly and how far away from my current hives should I locate them.  Thanks in advance for any information you could give us. 

[CBT]

You might find a good head high branch that you could tie a rag with swarm lure on it that wood be easy to box them from after they land on it to check it out.

[Perry]

I have left empty boxes in a few of my yards hoping that they might catch a swarm or 2 but never had any success. It seems that swarms are not as happy locating too close from whence they came?

[LazyBkpr]

   Remeber the gender of the creatures you are trying t figure out? That is right, give up NOW, your not going to figure them out!

  I try to put up swarm traps every year, two or three about 1/4 of a mile away, some half a mile, etc...  Old comb, lemon grass oil.. and a nice DEEP box with plenty of room..  Inevitably, they choose a NUC in my bee shed thats about 35 yards from the hives. It has happened t me three times now...

  First, the nuc is too small, no swarm will choose it.
   Second, it has old comb but no lemongrass oil
   Third, it is too close to the other hives...
 
   three strikes = WIN!!

  Yep, like I said, remember the gender!
  Oh.. and DUCK!! Mrs river or Jaybird might have heard me say that!

[robo]

Best way to guarantee getting your swarms is to split them before they swarm.  Second best option is to clip your queens and then set your traps on the ground

[LazyBkpr]

Second best option is to clip your queens and then set your traps on the ground

   Whaaaaat!
   There is wisdom being dispensed here! Excellent idea!

[tefer2]

When your queens are clipped and swarm season begins, be careful where you step.
If you see a clump of bees on the ground, dig through it and look for a queen.
They can't fly very far and end up close by their hive.

He is another method you can try in your bee yard.
It's called a Russian Scion, or swarm catching pole.
He's a link to some information about the method.
http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?303234-The-Russian-Scion

[tefer2]

We built some of these back in 2010 to try out.
I do still keep a few in yards close to the house.
The key to using them, is you have to check them daily between 11:00am-2:00pm.
Some of your swarms will stage on the Scion for a brief period before leaving the area.
Some say, the swarm is waiting for the scout bees to decide on a new home location.

My old time mentor say's, they are waiting for their queen to join them.
His thoughts, the queen is one of the last ones to leave the hive when swarming.
She doesn't really want to leave and the bees force her out of the hive.
Often biting her legs and pushing her out the of entrance.
He swears, he has seen it happen numerous times.

I have had some success, just placing lemongrass oil on nearby bushes and tree trucks.
You just have to be around when it all happens!