Queen as swarm attractant

[Luminos]

If I keep my queen to attract a swarm next year, do I just keep her in a ziplock bag in the freezer, or is something stronger needed (e.g., matchbox etc)?

And when/where do I place her once spring arrives?

 

[drstitson]

in a bag in freezer fine - or steeped in alcohol.

put her in a bait hive or squashed on a convenient post in the apiary where you'd like your swarms to settle first.

 

[For want of a better word]

Essence of queen bee is one of the essential ingredients in Grandad's bait sausage recipe!
Kept in any type of gin.... liquid nitrogin would do nicely!

 

[gavin]

put her in a bait hive or squashed on a convenient post in the apiary where you'd like your swarms to settle first.

Does anyone know whether the quality of the queen affects how attractive her scent is? I squashed a drone layer on a good low branch in the orchard where our association apiary resides last summer. Just wondering if she is going to be less effective than a properly laying queen. I'd imagine that she would have some effect, but not the full monty.

 

[newportbuzz]

Does anyone know whether the quality of the queen affects how attractive her scent is? I squashed a drone layer on a good low branch in the orchard where our association apiary resides last summer. Just wondering if she is going to be less effective than a properly laying queen. I'd imagine that she would have some effect, but not the full monty.

following this question does it matter if the queen is mated at all?

 

[Anduril]

If I keep my queen to attract a swarm next year, do I just keep her in a ziplock bag in the freezer, or is something stronger needed (e.g., matchbox etc)?

And when/where do I place her once spring arrives?

http://www.*****************/bee/swarmlures.html

 

[Finman]

.
I put 6 queens in 100 ml alcohol. It has no influence on swarming. Mere waste of good alcohol.

I have used a French queen atractant spray. It vaporizes and the influence is very small.

I had a Russian queen atractant greese. It was really good. Once a swarm was at heigt of 15 metres. I sprouted greese from mouth onto a bush and the swarm dropped down like a stone.

I reared lemon grass too but it has no meaning.


Don't expect too much. Clip the wing. It is good.

 

[For want of a better word]

I have a packet of Vita Honeybee Attractant Wipes... roll on May !

 

[Luminos]

Does HM have any particular preference as to which alcohol?

 

[dpearce4]

The Queen's favorite drink is a form of dubonnet cocktail.. one part Gin and three parts dubonnet, served in her personal crystal glass with a pitless slice of lemon under two ice cubes.


Alleged!!

 

[Luminos]

.
I put 6 queens in 100 ml alcohol. It has no influence on swarming. Mere waste of good alcohol.

I have used a French queen atractant spray. It vaporizes and the influence is very small.

I had a Russian queen atractant greese. It was really good. Once a swarm was at heigt of 15 metres. I sprouted greese from mouth onto a bush and the swarm dropped down like a stone.

I reared lemon grass too but it has no meaning.


Don't expect too much. Clip the wing. It is good.

I'm pretty sure she's not going to fly off, Finman

 

[drstitson]

well done luminos. you beat me to it! feel free to borrow my coat while i get the new office coat hook sorted.

in fact i had thought about a sarkie response yesterday but my sympathetic side kicked in (strangely).

 

[Luminos]

well done luminos. you beat me to it! feel free to borrow my coat while i get the new office coat hook sorted.

in fact i had thought about a sarkie response yesterday but my sympathetic side kicked in (strangely).

...of your coat DrS - I bow to the master...

 

[Nic Rhodes]

have you tried putting it in soft water, not hard


of course I could be just re inventing the wheel again :grin: