Anyone use the swarm traps sold by Mann Lakes? http://www.mannlakeltd.com/beekeeping-supplies/product/HD-375.html (http://"http://www.mannlakeltd.com/beekeeping-supplies/product/HD-375.html")
I would like to try to catch a swarm of bees but don't no how these would work. Do they have frames in them?
The cardboard ones have no frames. Make your own with a deep box with drawn frames in it an a rub of lemongrass oil on top frame and at entrance. Place about five to ten feet off ground or on a stand facing east or south. Place in area of know bees.
John
I've got no preference which way the entrance faces. I've had good luck this year using "retired" deeps (dry rot in areas) with a board screwed on the bottom and a removable lid on the top. I put 2 drawn frames in the middle and 4 undrawn frames on each side. The more older the box and frames the better as they'll have more smell and work more effectively. Use a drop of lemongrass opposite the entrance/exit hole. Using too much lemongrass seems to be counterproductive though so avoid the temptation.
I do like Iddee with nuc boxes. I place 1 old drawn frame in the box on one side and 4-5 empty medium frames to fill it up.
I put a 3/8" wood wedge in the top groove and melt some wax and paint only the wedge. The bees fill the frames perfectly in a week and then start placing wonky comb under the frames.
I took a trap apart yesterday after they were in there 9 days and they already had most the area under the frames filled with comb and brood. Inside the frames the comb was all near perfectly and completely drawn.
Jim
I'm dreading that too Jim.....I have one that reportedly moved in 7 days ago and have been too busy to get it out of the tree...tonight is the night and will crack it tomorrow and see what sort of a mess they have made LOL.