Swarm trap success

Robo · July 18, 2012, 12:56:41 PM

Here are a few pictures of swarms from this year

https://plus.google.com/photos/116822367552643196211/albums/5766497221043967201

AllenF · July 18, 2012, 01:45:41 PM

Looking good. Great pics.

JP · July 18, 2012, 11:31:30 PM

Looks like a couple of really nice ones there Rob. Details? How large and what have they done for you this season?

...JP

Javin · July 19, 2012, 11:27:37 AM

Sweet! I'd be interested in the details too. What was inside the boxes? (Frames?) Did you use any bait? How long were the traps set before catching a swarm?

Robo · July 19, 2012, 03:49:48 PM

They have 5 frames in them (4 foundationless and 1 old comb) and a vial of homemade swarm lure. Some of the larger looking ones where probably in the traps a month or so before I got to them. (Note to self: don't rely on the homeowner to notice activity until they are boiling over and ready to swarm) They drew out all 4 foundationless frames AND built comb on the bottom of the frames (~ medium frame size). Had one that was queenless and a laying work, but all the rest seem to be doing really well. Have one with a queen that is missing a front leg, but she is laying like crazy and they seem to be happy with her, at least for now.

All but one chose the larger 30L trap over a smaller 20L trap. Also had a swarm move into the ceiling of an old chicken coop, rejecting the trap hanging on the coop ~10 feet from them.

specialkayme · July 20, 2012, 08:06:28 AM

So you usually hang a 30L trap and a 20L trap next to each other?

Robo · July 20, 2012, 10:19:51 AM

Quote from: specialkayme on July 20, 2012, 08:06:28 AM
So you usually hang a 30L trap and a 20L trap next to each other?

Collecting some data this year.

yockey5 · July 20, 2012, 01:05:37 PM

Pretty cool.