Bait hive frames

[Popparand]

I have a few brood frames with capped and uncapped honey from a nuc that didn't make it through the winter. Can these be used in a bait hive? I put a cardboard insert above the omf and that's getting pretty gooey with dripped honey. Is that going to make the hive more attractive to swarms or should I just junk the lot and replace with new frames and undrawn foundation? Any opinions as to what to do gratefully received.

 

[Beefriendly]

I have a few brood frames with capped and uncapped honey from a nuc that didn't make it through the winter. Can these be used in a bait hive? I put a cardboard insert above the omf and that's getting pretty gooey with dripped honey. Is that going to make the hive more attractive to swarms or should I just junk the lot and replace with new frames and undrawn foundation? Any opinions as to what to do gratefully received.

If there is honey inside it will get likely be "robbed" by your other bees. Old empty drawn frames are usually considered best.

 

[Popparand]

Sadly I don't have any other bees after the winter.

 

[Beefriendly]

I'm sorry to hear that.
I would still save the honey frames until a swarm moves in....then you have instant food. I don't know what the hive density is in your area but other beekeepers bees will happily do the robbing as well.

 

[Popparand]

Good point!

 

[WoodenBeam]

Heard an interesting idea from Ged Marshall on bait hives. 2 mankey old drawn should be thrown away frames separated by a frame with no foundation - I've used a brood frame with an unwired shallow piece of foundation fitted.
The idea being a swarm likes something to hang from - the undrawn frame/empty frame. The two old frames are the attractant but with the space between deters wax moth. Sounded to me a sensible suggestion so have adopted this year, time will tell........