How to set up a swarm trap

[Zante]

I'm planning to use 2 six frame dadant nucs for these traps, and I have plenty of smelly old frames to bait them.

The question is: do I fill the nuc with frames (maybe a couple of frames of foundation for them to draw) or do I just put one or two as bait and let them draw wax on the nuc lid, leaving the interior empty?

I'd rather avoid having wild comb in the nuc (so I would prefer if the answer was to fill the nuc), but the priority is to have a good trap.

 

[Newbeeneil]

When I set mine up I have used 1 frame of old frame accompanied with several frames with just a starter strip. I would not leave them to drawn wax onto the crown board of the nuc as it would make it difficult to rehome.

 

[Erichalfbee]

One frame and starter strips.....
I check mine every day so the bees don't get a chance to build much.

 

[Zante]

Ok, so, I put two black combs, one on each side of the nuc, and four empty frames with a starter strip in the middle.
What about the wires? here in Italy the frames are wired, not the foundation, so I will have a starter strip at the top, and vertical wires coming down to the bottom. Should I snip those?

 

[Newbeeneil]

Noooooooo! keep the wires or you will end up with a floppy comb that's not strong and you have to be careful doing your inspection.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Put the black combs in the centre with the starter strips around the edge.

 

[Zante]

Noooooooo! keep the wires or you will end up with a floppy comb that's not strong and you have to be careful doing your inspection.

That was my intention, but I'm willing to have weak comb and have to be careful if it makes a better trap.
Not sure how much of a difference it'll make as a trap though.

Put the black combs in the centre with the starter strips around the edge.

Will do.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Don’t you lot check your bait hives daily and rehive straightaway?

 

[Zante]

Don’t you lot check your bait hives daily and rehive straightaway?

No, mainly because I never set one up. These would be the first traps I set.

I was thinking that if I use the nuc as a trap, and have frames in there I wouldn't need to rehive at all, (well, not for a bit, and if it's not a really large swarm). Leave it there to settle, and later just rehive the frames just as if I'd bought a nuc of bees.

If there's anything wrong with the above reasoning please do tell me, because, as I said, these are the first traps I'd be setting up.

 

[Erichalfbee]

No, mainly because I never set one up. These would be the first traps I set.

I was thinking that if I use the nuc as a trap, and have frames in there I wouldn't need to rehive at all, (well, not for a bit, and if it's not a really large swarm). Leave it there to settle, and later just rehive the frames just as if I'd bought a nuc of bees.

If there's anything wrong with the above reasoning please do tell me, because, as I said, these are the first traps I'd be setting up.

Putting frames in works for some people. Not for me. I have never caught a swarm in a filled box. If you read Seeley’s stuff on this he says scouts measure the inside of a potential home by flying across it not just walking around. Try both?

 

[Zante]

Try both?

Good idea, will do.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Putting frames in works for some people. Not for me. I have never caught a swarm in a filled box. If you read Seeley’s stuff on this he says scouts measure the inside of a potential home by flying across it not just walking around. Try both?

That's why I use strips. It allows the scouts to investigate the size of the cavity without hindrance and still keeps comb neat.
I use a 40 litre cavity (national box) as recommended by Tom Sealey.

 

[Poly Hive]

And just to be awkward all the swarms I hav4e attracted over the years have been into units with combs and foundation.

So there you go. It pays to remember sometimes that bees don't actually read research papers and do what they want.

There are times when practical experience is useful.

PH

 

[Zante]

Hmm...

I will try a variety of traps and setups. I have 2 six frame poly nucs and about 6 old hives (so old that they are pre-varroa!) available. Also I have 12 black combs overall to use (well, two of them are currently full of brood, so can't really count them yet).

This will make for an interesting experiment.

Of course, knowing my luck they will all remain empty

 

[Madge]

Put the black combs in the centre with the starter strips around the edge.

No. Preferably as Zante suggested: used comb at the side as they’re looking for a large space. Fill the rest with strips or super frames.

Also, it’s best to remove the swarm as soon as possible, and immediately replace it with a new bait hive. Some other scouts might have checked out that site as well - so you may catch a second swarm. I learned that from ITLD.

Kitta

 

[Jafer2]

Intresting i have had mine out since last week but the weather hasnt been that grate. Its a nuc with a super on top for extra space with couple of strips of starter strips. Others empty. Will have to see if i get anything out of it. Bonus if i do

 

[Newbeeneil]

No. Preferably as Zante suggested: used comb at the side as they’re looking for a large space. Fill the rest with strips or super frames.

Kitta

ah that's interesting, I have always put my old combs in the centre as I assume the prime swarm queen would want to start laying asap. Does the queen lay in the old comb if it's at the side Kitta? Or do they build up the strips before starting to lay??

 

[Beefriendly]

.
I use a 40 litre cavity (national box) as recommended by Tom Sealey.

He was using Italian Bees, so the preferred sized cavity for UK local mongrel bees might be different
.......plus in his original experiment the bees initial preference was for a chimney rather than all his boxes. When this was closed off and they had no other choices of nest sites, then they preferred the 40l boxes.

 

[Anduril]

I've done it many different ways and they have all worked for me. Bait hives at ground level, to over 6 foot, with floor mesh and without, with frames and without. But I have never used lemongrass oil, nor swarm lures. They will use the old comb first to store nectar and brood.

 

[Newbeeneil]

He was using Italian Bees, so the preferred sized cavity for UK local mongrel bees might be different
.......plus in his original experiment the bees initial preference was for a chimney rather than all his boxes. When this was closed off and they had no other choices of nest sites, then they preferred the 40l boxes.

Yes indeed but trying to carry those chimneys around I'd bloody hard work!