I was in the woods this AM and came across an old house in a field totally grown over with brush ,as I was looking thru some old papers and trash I noticed the chimney on the other side and just knew there would be a nest there and sure enough there were there. Bees were going in and out like gang busters where the brick had pulled away. On the side of the chimney next to there entrance the bees were thick just fanning the entrance. Question, I know it is getting into mid June and I have a swarm trap with the lure from Mann Lake what would be the best placement because there are really no trees around just a lot of brush about 6 feet tall. But I could place it on a corner about 12 feet from the entrance and 8 feet up. Would they even swarm in mid June, I live in Eastern Ohio right off the turnpike. Any recommendations is appreciated.
John
Ideally you want it some distance off the ground. Five to eight feet seems to work ok. You want it about a quarter mile away for maximum effectiveness. You want to bait it with Lemongrass essential oil (unless you want to waste your money buying the Mann Lake ones which only work as well and you could have bought a lifetime supply of Lemongrass oil) it probably also helps to add a "bee boost" as bait unless you have some queen juice (old queens dumped into alcohol over the years). An old ten frame deep box with a bottom and lid made of scrap lumber nailed on will make an excellent trap. Old comb is helpful I'd put frames with guides on them so you don' have to cut them out.