I have 32 of the Flower Pot type traps ( Pressed Fiber Pots)
I've been thinking of sealing the outside of the traps with something like spar varnish to protect them from a lot of rain.
Would this be feasible or should I leave them be.
It's just a thought going thru my nogg'n.
Capt,
I do not have any experience with using them as a swarm trap...
However let me tell you a short story.
My wife and I planted a bunch of stuff about five years ago. I put a few of those pots onto my pile of lawn clippings and what not thinking they would just compost down. Two years ago we dug up that pile to clean out that corner of the yard and what did we find buried under 2-3 years of composted grass clippings...??? You guessed it... those paper pots. Now maybe the brand I had does not break down as quickly as others so take it for what it is worth. Maybe just use some spray paint to seal the paper and give it color.... there is my $0.02
those first ones had asphalt in them and lasted, now you catch a swarm on a damp day and they will chew it up
I don't know if it will help, but I doubt if it would hurt anything, unless the smell kept the bees away. I don't know if they are treated with anything or not. Try tearing off a small piece and soaking it in a cup of water and see what happens.
because i live in such a damp area, i painted mine with a mix of paraffin and bees wax. just melted it down and slopped it on. did a nice job and was pretty fast.
Alright appreciate the info, I'll get a sample from one of them and put it in some water and see what happens.
I'm just trying to prolong the life of the trap.
I used a water repellent made by Olympus.
It is a milky white liquid.
I put it in a spray bottle and sprayed the traps down with it.
It dried clear with no noticeable smell.
I've got 8 of the swarm traps out and baited about 6-8ft off the ground in around 30% shade with some old comb inside and lemon grass oil as an attractant.
I will say bees are checking them out.
I only have 24 more to set out.
I'm going to set them out where I catch swarms.
I have several ads for swarm catching covering 4 counties.