In anticipation for the swarm season, I built a swarm trap yesterday. I basically used Robo's plans with a little modification in height because of using scrap material. First off, what kind of swarm lure does everyone use? The pheromone, lemongrass oil, or both. Also where is the best place to buy the pheromone and
lemongrass oil? I know some people use a old brood comb, but being a beginner, I don't have any. Finally, thanks to Robo for his website. I like his plans and cut list, great resource for beginners.
Most Honey Bee Supply Companies sell the Queen Lures.
I use Lemon Essence Oil, it's made from Lemon Grass.
Most Health Food Stores will handle it or you can buy it online.
A small bottle of say 1/2 ounce or so will last a long time.
You use it sparingly, too much and you will actually repel the scout bees.
You can take a small pill bottle and drill a 1/16 or smaller hole in the lower side, fill it with cotton balls and just add a couple drops of the Lemon Grass Oil and seal it up.
Or take a large diameter soda straw and cut it in 2 inch lengths, stuff it with cotton and add a couple of drops of Lemon oil, then staple it in the trap.
Read the part Capt 44 said abouy sparingly. This is one case where if a little is good,more is not better. :)
I dipped one end of a cotton swab in lemongrass oil, it wasn't dripping, and put it in the back of the hive. Is that too much as stated above?
That should work fine. I think we are about three weeks away from starting to see swarms here in North Fl. It normally gets cranking around the first of March
Johng, I'm very excited for swarm season! I built some of the Coates 5 and 8 frame traps, I hope I catch a few!
I hope we all catch a few!
Yall give us a head's up on them swarms & splits.
No more than 5 drops lemon grass oil.
best to know where previous swarms have landed as more will follow years later.
mine have.
Old comb is good. got a bee club near? most beekeepers have old comb from a dead out.
freeze it first for 3 days to a week
jay
when does swarm season start in Atlanta Georgia.
my people there want to know
jay
jay, i'm 100 miles south of atlanta and the earliest i've ever caught swarms was march 15th.