I've saved all retired queens in an alcohol solution to use as a lure. so far I've not seen any interest from the girls when I tried it. yesterday while removing a hive from a fallen limb I noticed them balling up on a queen cage that was on my tailgate. I put that cage in a nuc I left behind to collect stragglers & foragers. there were a fair amount of bees in the nuc this morning. later this morning I left that cage sitting out. I think this could be an effective lure. a queen was released from this cage about 3 weeks ago. this photo was taken 10 minutes after setting out the cage. it's been like this all day. if you look real close you can see the cage.
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k195/rober49/beesonqueencage2.jpg) (http://s88.photobucket.com/user/rober49/media/beesonqueencage2.jpg.html)
I've bought queen pheromone lures and had negative results with the swarm traps.
But when I put Lemon Grass Essence oil in them they would catch.
I now have around 18 swarm traps to bring in full of bees.
I use the pressed fiber pots.
I build my own swarm traps.
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll312/capt44/swarmtrap7_zpsc1dd38c7.jpg)
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll312/capt44/SwarmTrap5_zps6d2a7524.jpg)