The varroa solution

[Penninetrader]

I'll tell you how I make up and place my baits if you ask in the new year.

I will definitely do that, thank you

 

[Andy]

I'll tell you how I make up and place my baits if you ask in the new year.

I'll be interested in any top tips as I was going to scatter some bait nucs around the area as well (friends allowing)

 

[madasafish]

My bait hives collect abut 4 swarms a year. On average three out of four contain marked queens.

 

[Erichalfbee]

My bait hives collect abut 4 swarms a year. On average three out of four contain marked queens.

My bait hives do really well with an old used brood frame. Never caught a marked queen in 13 years even though many swarms are primes.

 

[Newbeeneil]

My bait hives do really well with an old used brood frame. Never caught a marked queen in 13 years even though many swarms are primes.

Interestingly I have had about 10-20% of my captured swarms with marked queens. I only got 13 swarms in 2024 but 31 in 2023. Some years are better than others but I normally put out 20 or so bait hives.

 

[Murox]

Just an observation really.... up here I'm lucky if I even hear about 5 swarms a year, but then, I imagine the density of beekeepers is far less than it is a few dozen miles south.

 

[Amari]

I'll be interested in any top tips as I was going to scatter some bait nucs around the area as well (friends allowing)

My bait hives collect abut 4 swarms a year. On average three out of four contain marked queens.

My bait hives do really well with an old used brood frame. Never caught a marked queen in 13 years even though many swarms are primes.

Interestingly I have had about 10-20% of my captured swarms with marked queens. I only got 13 swarms in 2024 but 31 in 2023. Some years are better than others but I normally put out 20 or so bait hives.

I'm puzzled by all you swarm collectors! My problem is keeping my colonies at no more than five. Just a few swarm-control measures increase the colony count like topsy! Why do you collect swarms and what do you do with them?
Dani, presumably you will have to chuck your bait hives if you aim to keep just two colonies after your projected house-move........

 

[Erichalfbee]

Dani, presumably you will have to chuck your bait hives if you aim to keep just two colonies after your projected house-move........

Sadly I will have to chuck plenty of things.

Who can resist free bees. Watching the activity at a bait hive ramp up over days culminating in the arrival of a swarm is better than any tele. Watching them grow is a real treat. I give all but one away. The one that remains gets assimilated into the apiary.
I’ve got pretty good at reducing after swarm control because I’ve thrown some sentiment out of the window.

 

[Newbeeneil]

I'm puzzled by all you swarm collectors! My problem is keeping my colonies at no more than five. Just a few swarm-control measures increase the colony count like topsy! Why do you collect swarms and what do you do with them?
Dani, presumably you will have to chuck your bait hives if you aim to keep just two colonies after your projected house-move........

The reason I bait and collect swarms is to stop them taking up residence in chimneys or generally in peoples houses.
I have charged several hundred pounds for removing them from buildings but some charge several thousand which is circumvented by catching them.

 

[JamezF]

The reason I bait and collect swarms is to stop them taking up residence in chimneys or generally in peoples houses.

Me too. It costs me little to do so and given that I have the necessary skills it just seems like a socially responsible thing to do.

James