Swarm Traps Questions

contactme_11 · February 20, 2009, 03:40:44 PM

So I've built a few swarm traps and nucs which I will use as traps. I figured I would put a frame of drawn comb in each however I don't have enough extra frames to fill all the spaces in each trap. So I made a ton of top bars out of scrap wood and put a wood starter strip in each. My plan is to use these as "fillers" in all the extra frame spaces in each trap (1 drawn comb in the middle). My question is do you think that if bees do move in they'll follow the strips or should I expect a huge mess inside the box?

Keith13 · February 20, 2009, 03:53:26 PM

Most people who go foundationless say the bees normally draw fairly straight comb. I have had some experience with starter strips they have been pretty straight. I would just check in on them and try and head off anything before it gets out of hand.

Keith

jdpro5010 · February 20, 2009, 04:33:29 PM

I would think that keeping the hive level from side to side would also help. Let us know how it works out.

NWIN Beekeeper · February 21, 2009, 04:13:43 AM

I would use a starter strip, then the drawn frame, then the rest of the starters.
For a few reasons.

Bees walk up the wall to the frames. (save them effort)
Swarms will first start to work the drawn frame. (they're lazy)
The wall and drawn frame will act as guides.
The bees will work frames 1 and 3 on either side of the drawn comb and establish faster.
Swarms often are shedding wax scales as they arrive, so comb build executes fast.
If you check your traps regularly, absconding isn't likely to be a big issue.
Be sure to use an attractant (lemongrass oil, etc)

Do not use old dirty combs as an attractant.
Its like using a dirty apartment to attract nice new renters.
Too much chance for disease, too much attractant to wax moths and beetles.
If you wouldn't eat off it, it needs to be thrown away.
I pref (and my swarms have too) strips over dirty combs.

bud1 · February 21, 2009, 09:34:42 AM

my 2 cents; dont put any frames or strips in, just some lemon grass oil and maby propolis if you have it. check every coupla days, and when swarm comes.pick up at night, and dump in box

Michael Bush · February 21, 2009, 05:10:14 PM

Odds are with a drawn comb down the middle they will probably build the rest on the top bars if they are between 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" wide. But if they don't it's still an easy cut out.

contactme_11 · February 21, 2009, 09:32:46 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on February 21, 2009, 05:10:14 PM
Odds are with a drawn comb down the middle they will probably build the rest on the top bars if they are between 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" wide. But if they don't it's still an easy cut out.

That's what I figured. Thanks guys for all your suggestions. I'm really looking forward to trying to catch some swarms.