Swarm trap distance?

Nock · January 30, 2020, 10:42:54 PM

If you knew where a colony is living inside a tree. How far away from there tree would you place a trap? Would you add two to area just in case? Thanks

Bob Wilson · January 30, 2020, 11:19:35 PM

I read 300 yards in one place. Not too close, not too far. But you... You can't trust the internet.

Ben Framed · January 30, 2020, 11:59:26 PM

Nock, I have seen videos where JP and Schawee have performed cutouts with 3 hives in the same house. Did these extra two come from the original house hive, or did they all come from a source further away at different times? Maybe you can send JP or Schawee a PM asking their opinion. You might also ask Jeff at Jeff Horchoff Bees. He catches more swarms than anyone I know of.
Phillip

CapnChkn · January 31, 2020, 03:23:15 AM

The consensus has been a quarter mile. I catch swarms in old nuc boxes left in the beeyard though. I would just put them around the colony about 100 yards in any direction. If you use the right swarm trap, bait, and location, they will probably choose the trap over a hollow tree branch. More than one will give them choices, and increase the odds they wont go into someone's soffit.

I've been trying to find an average for colonies in a square mile, and get answers from 7 to 200. I can't really say, but Dr. Thomas Seeley gives even less per. It seems the swarm will go out to look for an appropriate cavity within a comfortable range.

They will search for cavities as soon as the swarming urge hits. They may circle around the bait hives for weeks, even more than a month while they get ready. I am constantly fooled into thinking I have a swarm moved in, lower the trap, and discover half a dozen bees in it. If they have the traps there, they will camp out in them to keep other swarms from taking them, and then they will vote on the best hive when they cluster.

iddee · January 31, 2020, 07:07:07 AM

They will choose what they think is the best home. It can be from a couple feet to a quarter mile. Seldom further. The more traps out, the better your chances.

BAHBEEs · January 31, 2020, 05:48:19 PM

Now...what about ideal height? I have caught the ones I have caught remarkably close to the ground. Not yet one from up high.

MikeyN.C. · January 31, 2020, 06:26:21 PM

I've not seen that that matters. I've caught on ground and 12 feet up. Just give them a good home.

iddee · January 31, 2020, 08:21:52 PM

It is said 10 feet is best, but the bees don't always abide.

CapnChkn · January 31, 2020, 09:03:49 PM

I trap every year, and the height that gets me bees is about 10 feet up. I spent 4 fruitless years here trying to catch at least one swarm, and I had decided to hang them from a french cleat I had rachet strapped to a straight trunk, as high as I thought comfortable. That turned out to be about 5 1/2 feet. I finally realized all I was getting in the traps were red wasps, brown widow spiders, and ants.

Since those critters like being closer to the ground, hanging them out of their comfort zone, and putting baits of grape jelly, and peanut butter mixed with borax in the hives, I got 5 swarms out of 6 traps last spring. Using the same 6 traps, I caught 2 in 2014, 1 in 2015, 1 in 2016, 0 in 2017 and 2018. Since I usually get around 66%, I was getting frustrated.

That is the one thing I did before 2014, tie a harness on the traps, attach a line, a rock to the free end, toss it over a branch, and pull it up. The entrance can't spin around. You want to secure the trap with the free rope, and tie it around the trunk of the tree to finish.

van from Arkansas · January 31, 2020, 10:32:55 PM

This is all interesting to me. I have never trapped bees. Bet it is exciting to see the bees in the trap and realize your success.

Van

Kwalt · January 31, 2020, 11:08:47 PM

I caught 9 last year. All of the traps were hung no higher than I could reach from the ground.

Kevin

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Kwalt · January 31, 2020, 11:11:09 PM

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van from Arkansas · January 31, 2020, 11:57:14 PM

KWalt, is the box a five frame nuc?
Van

Kwalt · February 01, 2020, 12:08:11 AM

No. They?re bigger than a 5 frame nuc. 6 frames wide and about as deep as they are long. It?s not something you want to leave them in too long. I usually leave them for a week before transferring them into normal equipment. I believe swarms are looking for a larger box than a nuc.

Kevin

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Seeb · February 01, 2020, 08:29:41 AM

Kwalt - now that is impressive!

Are you trapping beeks concerned about these bees bringing mites/etc into your bee yard? I've taken swarms, but they were usually mine or my neighbors. This looks like fun!

van from Arkansas · February 01, 2020, 11:38:39 AM

Mr. Kevin, in your pic standing you stand next to a hive: is that hive a long hive or a Kenya hive??? I can?t tell from the pic. I have wanted to experience a long hive which to me, is a horizontal langstrof. I can see advantages of a long hive.

Van

Nock · February 01, 2020, 11:59:03 AM

What lure do y?all like using?

van from Arkansas · February 01, 2020, 12:28:36 PM

Nock, good question. As stated earlier, I have never trapped. So I am asking would honey work as a lure?

Van

Kwalt · February 01, 2020, 12:49:33 PM

I think the most important lure is a piece of old brood comb. I also use lemon grass oil or swarm commander on a cue tip, plus a drop at the entrance. They both work, I didn?t notice a difference. If the box used for a bait hive is new I rubbed the inside with propolis. I usually check them weekly and bring them home when I see them bringing in pollen.

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FatherMichael · February 01, 2020, 01:29:37 PM

Quote from: Kwalt on February 01, 2020, 12:49:33 PM
I think the most important lure is a piece of old brood comb. I also use lemon grass oil or swarm commander on a cue tip, plus a drop at the entrance. They both work, I didn?t notice a difference. If the box used for a bait hive is new I rubbed the inside with propolis. I usually check them weekly and bring them home when I see them bringing in pollen.

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Thanks, Kwalt.

This is so helpful!