I have my swarm boxes out. The honey flow seems to have begun with flowering pear trees. I purchased some of those steel entrance disks, small ones for the nucs I built, and larger ones for the swarm boxes. I really like the disks. This swarm box is in a graveyard with a pond behind it. And yes, I have permission.
The wife and I got to watch a swarm come into a baited box in our back yard Monday afternoon. Sure was nice to see one come in instead of going out.
Watched a swarm leave one of my hives Tuesday and settle in a tree over the boat shed. Grabbed a ladder and duc taped a bucket onto a long pole. It took a few hard pokes to shake it into the bucket but had that baby safely in a nuc withing a hour or so. Yup it's swarm season.
Bob sounds like a good spot with the water nearby. Have you noticed any scouts?
Bob,
I have found that putting a swarm trap up against a tree or building works much better than one in the open. They are used to finding holes in trees and buildings.
Good choice.
I have five traps out.
Jim Altmiller
Jim I followed your advised and left one in my barn near my equipment and wham have one scouting as I type, not sure where from as I split every one of mine. Also caught 2 at my brother-in-laws house near a lake they love the lake traps.
Good luck all
Quote from: Bob Wilson on March 11, 2021, 08:27:59 AM
I have my swarm boxes out. The honey flow seems to have begun with flowering pear trees. I purchased some of those steel entrance disks, small ones for the nucs I built, and larger ones for the swarm boxes. I really like the disks. This swarm box is in a graveyard with a pond behind it. And yes, I have permission.
Is that a five frame nuc, Bob?
Caught 3 so far, the lake trap caught one , barn trap caught one today, and we put one a friends house that wanted to start keeping bees and he caught on today at 530. So far Been a great year
Quote from: jtcmedic on March 17, 2021, 10:24:46 PM
Caught 3 so far, the lake trap caught one , barn trap caught one today, and we put one a friends house that wanted to start keeping bees and he caught on today at 530. So far Been a great year
You are doing well!
Quote from: Ben Framed on March 18, 2021, 12:36:37 AM
Quote from: jtcmedic on March 17, 2021, 10:24:46 PM
Caught 3 so far, the lake trap caught one , barn trap caught one today, and we put one a friends house that wanted to start keeping bees and he caught on today at 530. So far Been a great year
You are doing well!
Is has all come together, thank you
My friend is having more success than I. Scouts are sniffing around some old equipment donated to him, and a box he placed on his old homestead. I will check mine after this storm passes. Bees seem to swarm on a sunny day after a rainy day.
Michael.
The swarm box in the picture above holds 6 deep frames in the top, and is 2xs taller than a standard deep hive box. You can find the plans on horizontalhives.com.
However, if I make more, I will probably just make standard deeps for my swarm traps, with a solid bottom board and a migratory top.