Artificial Swarm Fail: Query 2: Bait hive

[JonnyPicklechin]

As posted in earlier I lost a swarm. I have seen where they landed and they are way way up a very high beech tree in (friendly) neighbours garden with no way to reach them. They are are however safe out of nuisance's way for now.

I'd like to try and bait them.

What are you top tips?

 

[einsteinagogo]

As posted in earlier I lost a swarm. I have seen where they landed and they are way way up a very high beech tree in (friendly) neighbours garden with no way to reach them. They are are however safe out of nuisance's way for now.

I'd like to try and bait them.

What are you top tips?

what I use, and sometimes it works, and sometimes it does not.

1. solid floor. (or if OMF, closed)
2. entrance block, with a very small space. (dipped in beeswax!)
3. brood box (not cleaned), where bees have previously.
4. face south.
5. high up off the floor.
6. single frame of old comb (in the middle)
7. fresh foundation (10 frames)

or variations of above..

 

[elite123]

what I use, and sometimes it works, and sometimes it does not.

1. solid floor. (or if OMF, closed)
2. entrance block, with a very small space. (dipped in beeswax!)
3. brood box (not cleaned), where bees have previously.
4. face south.
5. high up off the floor.
6. single frame of old comb (in the middle)
7. fresh foundation (10 frames)

or variations of above..

As above, but have had good success this year with poly nucs (omf covered with cardboard) - I usually start with just a couple frames of foundation as was concerned about not appearing big enough (no idea if this has any impact)

I have about the same success with my south and east facing boxes

 

[drex]

If not too high, what has worked for me on one occasion, was to throw a line up over a branch above the swarm. Tie an old brood comb on and haul it up to the swarm. Leave for a couple of hours and they move over onto the old comb, then lower it down.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

That has to be one of those ingenious ideas I have seen on this forum!

Given the kit I have : I have two supers with enough frames form one box. I am going to spread the frames across both boxes and then leave a honey filled super near the entrance.

I'll put the whole lot on a floor with a wide entrance and then place an old brood comb on the top of the whole thing.

Then I'll spray some lemon grass oil across the entrance and rub it in to the timber.

I'll place the whole thing on the top of a step ladder.

Lets see how she does. Watch this space.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

I'll put the whole lot on a floor with a wide entrance and then place an old brood comb on the top of the whole thing.

Is a smaller entrance better?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Drum them down?

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Wants to see video of Dani Drumming....

 

[Erichalfbee]

Wants to see video of Dani Drumming....

Get me a SunHive, they'll make a beeline for that, you know..... and I'll make a video for you

 

[Anduril]

and then leave a honey filled super near the entrance.

This will induce robbing. I do know a beekeeper who leaves numerous honey supers in his apiary to help feed his bees and has caught his own swarms that way. But you are inviting bees from other apiaries to consume the honey.

 

[bontbee]

... But you are inviting bees from other apiaries to consume the honey...

and possibly bring in disease.....

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

I have removed the honeyed super.

I have some old broken dark comb in there and have doused the front with lemon grass oil. Its sitting on a neighbours garden shed , I have gone with a small entrance hole.

The swarm is still hanging out. Lets wait and see.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Darn it! Lost them....Saw them alighting over the rooftops. Tried to chase them but they were gone....and obviously not to my bait hive.

Lessons learned: Getting closer, predicting, watching the bees behaviour. Seeing those queen cells. Think I am going to inspect more often at this time of year.

Also try another method next time.

Onwards and upwards....just like me lost girls.

 

[user 6228]

Is a smaller entrance better?

around 20 sq cm...

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Get me a SunHive, they'll make a beeline for that, you know..... and I'll make a video for you

Shhhhh! Speak not of the devil or she may appear.