How best to set up a BAIT HIVE ...?

[Father Fox]

I have an empty hive and am hoping to lure in a swarm. I read that putting in a few drawn frames is all that is required for a bait hive to be successful. Any other tips?

 

[dn170221]

A few threads on this already such as here:
http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14480
Or just search bait hives in the search field!
good luck!

 

[BeeJayBee]

A drop or two of lemongrass oil.

 

[Heather]

Manky old frames, but no nectar, honey etc or robbing will ensue, from many hives. Cross contamination could take place.

Stick high on shed roof or similar, small entrance. Good luck

 

[MartinL]

It's luck that you need more than anything else.

However, once you hit the right spot you have something that will work time and time again!

 

[johnnie1uk]

Has anyone tried lemon tree leaves (they are very strongly scented) as a substitute for lemon grass, is it the lemon scent that does the job?

 

[Sean.]

Lemon grass is different to lemon. While the name implies it's a lemon scent from a grass plant, it is different. It does smell citrus like.

 

[sunhivebee]

I have an empty hive and am hoping to lure in a swarm. I read that putting in a few drawn frames is all that is required for a bait hive to be successful. Any other tips?

There is some good advice on David Heaf's pages here http://www.dheaf.plus.com/warrebeekeeping/bait_hives.htm

In my experience, an elevated position, south-facing, is most likely to lead to success.
Two swarms recently moved into baithives I had placed 2 mtrs off the ground; both had tiny entrances, and one was situated very close to other hives, which I thought might be a counter-indication, but the bees thought otherwise.

It is also helpful to have some old brood comb in there, if you have it.

Small bait hives are no good - the scouts need to feel that the cavity is large enough to establish a colony.

Good luck! So nice when they move in of their own accord.

 

[fatshark]

I've had four in the last 3 weeks. National brood box, solid floor (cardboard over the mesh if present), single old black frame on one side, fill the rest of the box with foundationless frames, small entrance, crownboard, strap it up tight, roof.

The advantage of foundationless frames is that the scouts still think the box is a large enough void (read Honeybee Democracy by Seeley for details) but the swarm can build comb on it immediately. No need to re-house them and no need to check the box daily.

A swarm that arrived on Monday this week has built two complete frames out and laid most of them up by first inspection yesterday evening.

3/4 swarms have occupied boxes at knee height.