I built a topbar hive with observation window last winter .this past spring placed it on a friends [farm] 110 acres woods and meadows. used lemongrass oil in hopes of attracting a swarm. had a looker within 5 min. the place has many fruit trees and blackberries within 100 yds. did not attract a swarm. at the height of apple tree blooming only saw 4 or 5 honeybees. however an apple tree within 10 ft of hive was covered with some kind of small all black bees . however there were numerous honeybees working some red clover and split apples when I picked up the hive yesterday . we have some warm days still coming here in ne ks ,im thinking of trying to beeline some bees and see if there a wild hive some where on the property. all comments welcome.
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,35384.0.html (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,35384.0.html)
If you want to beeline, check out Scott's video at the beginning of this thread. I think it will bee very helpful.
Jim
smaller area might be helpful. then adding a piece of old comb. and maybe queen lure.