Is it the right time to build and deploy a swarm trap?

[vasukinv]

The probability of success in getting my new hive colonised by a pro keeper is decreasing with time. So I'm thinking about tapping a swarm.

Spring is about to begin shortly, or may have already began. Is it the right tinge to build a swarm trap out of plywood and leave it in a tree? I don't have used frames, but there's some wax at home, to rub over inside surfaces of the trap and frames. I can get pure Lemongrass Oil in 2-3 days if I order today.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[capt44]

It really depends on where you are.
I listen to the folks in south Louisana and Georgia.
When they start catching swarms I know I'm around  2 weeks or so behind them.
I then start setting up swarm traps.
I don't know where you're from.
I'm in Central Arkansas and will start setting up swarm traps around the 2nd week or so in March.

[BumbbleBee]

I am from a small town in India. It's located in the middle of Western Ghats (one of the hotspots of biodeversity).

I have noticed a few bees flying around since last 5-6 days. Would the following weekend be too late to place a swarm trap?

[GSF]

BumbbleBee; I don't have any experience catching swarms but my guess is that they start about the time the flowers start blooming. I wish you the best of luck.

[sc-bee]

Do you have an idea of the swarming time in your area. If the weather is warming and it is spring and bees are bringing in nectar yes it should be time or close. It won't hurt if you hang it a little early just keep it baited with lemongrasss oil but it don't take but a few drops on a cotton ball etc. Old frames are not a must the smell of old wax will help. When they go to the trap if you want to move it to a hive with frames do so quickly as they set up home and start building quickly and will be harder to remove (Cut Out).

You mentioned plywood and leaves, is this the standard trap materiel in your area? Not sure the leaves are necessary, just use the plywood if available or are you trying to reserve your resources for later use?

Do a search here on the forum on traps.

[sc-bee]

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,43492.0.html

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,32318.0.html

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,39894.0.html

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,18376.0.html

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,43081.0.html

Look Here
http://beevac.com/swarm-traps/

[BeeMaster2]

A friend caught a swarm this past weekend. The 5 frame nuc was about 10' up on top of a topped tree. Time to put out the swarm traps.
Jim

[capt44]

Here in Central Arkansas we are about 2 weeks or so behind Jacksonville, Florida.
I'm getting my swarm traps ready now to put out in a couple of weeks.
Just had a friend come by today and say he seen 4 drones in his hive.
They're getting they're populations built up so swarming won't be too far off here.

[BumbbleBee]

It rained last evening. I'll try to prepare a trap and put it out.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[BumbbleBee]

AccuWeather says we can expect p.m. thunderstorms and rain for next 3 days. Would it affect the behaviour of swarms?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[jayj200]

Remember to try 15 drops of lemon grass oil 5 on the right 5 on the left 5 on the top

jay
from over yonder not down under

[BumbbleBee]

Look Here

Thank you. Few of those are even inspiring. I feel like making one ASAP.

Remember to try 15 drops of lemon grass oil 5 on the right 5 on the left 5 on the top

jay

Sure. I'll order a bottle of LGO.

[capt44]

One way to tell is to go into your hive and look on the bottom of the frames of the brood box.
If you see swarm cells it's a good indication that other hives will be swarming.
You can look in the corners of the frames.
There should be honey on the top in kind of an arch, brood in the center of the arch and along the corners if you see capped drone cells that is an indication of a swarm taking place in the near future.
Look on the bottom of the other frames and you might find swarm cells.

[BumbbleBee]

I spoke to someone who runs an organization called "Bee Keeping Center" around 90 miles away from my location to know about the local swarming time.

He said "The colonies are split now and it's the perfect time to start. If you wait till May, the colonies won't stand, and leave the hive." Monsoon starts in June here. Last year it started to rain during mid-May. He continued saying "Just apply some bee wax to the boxes and leave the hive in the horticultural areas. Most of the time, swarms come and stay there. May take 3-5 days or a week. Or you can also transplant any colonies from the woods - if you know where it is - but it's better to have someone experienced with you."

So the weekend is expected to be very exciting, since two totally new things are planned. First, building the swarm trap, which I've never seen before, and the second one being the first carpentry work I'm about to do.

[BeeMaster2]

I put out 2 traps on Thursday. I put a small baggie with a q-tip soaked in LGO. I also added a few drops of LGO in the bottom of the trap per Jay. I will check them tomorrow.
Jim

[BumbbleBee]

I received my 15 ml Lemongrass Essential Oil. It says Ultra-Pure. I'll try your method, sawdstmakr.

Have you caught a trap in yours?

[BeeMaster2]

Not yet that I know of. I need to check on them tonight.
Jim

[jayj200]

when i put 5 drops on the right allowed to soak into the wood
flipped the trap putting 5 drops on the left allowing time to absorb
some old comb ruber banded to a frame
5 drops on the top.

caught mine in 4 days at eye level
jay
from over yonder not down under

[BeeMaster2]

I checked the traps last night, still no takers. Then again the weather has been pretty gloomy these last few days. especially today. A good day to have a inside job.
Jim