Bait hive

[Hachi]

Trying to think ahead for next season, I will build myself another hive to specifically act as a bait hive in the hope of capturing a swarm next year.

I've heard of people using lemon grass oil as an attractant, is it worth it?

and if so;

How do you apply it?

These oils things are all new to me

Cheers H

 

[FreeFall]

Just dribble a bit on the top bars

 

[Hachi]

Just dribble a bit on the top bars

All of them FF?

Would that be supers or brood frames or both?

 

[Poly Hive]

Supers?

A bait hive is merely a cheap box iwth a few frames of foundation in it and (bonus) some used comb. No super.

Sprinkle a few drops of the oil on the top bars and there you go.

KISS.. as in Keep it simple

PH

 

[Davelin]

Had one out last year with foundation and lemon oil; some interest, but no residents. This year with a few frames of old comb caught one!

 

[Hachi]

I've nicked the missus's lemon grass oil, well liberated it from hot soapy water or whatever they do with it and it will go in the hive next year with some old frames c/w comb and see how we go.

 

[fatshark]

Not too late for this year if you can slap together a box of about 40 litres ...

 

[Poly Hive]

I am finding they rather like nuc boxes.

PH

 

[weebee]

Try following Tom Seeley's Bait Hive rules in his research paper. It is in this pdf http://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstrea...ney Bees.pdf

 

[London-Scottish]

^ unfortunately, link not working..

 

[Andy Duff]

I am finding they rather like nuc boxes.

PH

Tatty old nuc boxes with some old drawn frames do it in these parts.

 

[FreeFall]

^ unfortunately, link not working..

Here you go...

http://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/2653/2/Bait Hives for Honey Bees.pdf

 

[blackcavebees]

I think this is a working link for the doc on bait hives ...

Ok won't let me post links ... Click on previous non working link, then do search for "bait hive" and new link will come up

Stephen

 

[Rosti]

Tatty old nuc boxes with some old drawn frames do it in these parts.

They work on the other side of the Pennines as well and even better with my very tatty old solid floor. Tatty box, tatty floor, 3 x tatty (but disease free) brood combs = free colonies.

 

[meetballuk]

been told but never used that a squashed queen will atracked swarm, worked for local beekeeper.

 

[Fraise]

How long does the effect of the Lemon Grass Oil last?
Does it evaporate and need replacing?

 

[Fenman]

lasts 3 up 6 weeks never really go's over swarm season have used with good results 8 takes last season 4 so far this season

 

[rae]

I made up some 14 x 12 sized bait boxes out of a load of ply that was dumped at the bottom of the lane. They were baited with old national brood comb. I left one in the garden, and last saturday, we were invaded by a vast cloud that went straight in. Quite a sight, and the easiest swarm collection I have done! They are now merged with a queenless hive, I will get them onto 14x12 foundation, then re-cycle the national brood comb for bait.