2 swarms brought home tonight.

[GSF]

I can't tell by looking at them if they're mated. I'm like you I look for eggs. However, if the old queen is marked and it's the first swarm when you catch them you'll know.

All these swarms we've had, I've had 8 swarm traps out off and on for two years with LGO/wax and never caught a swarm.

[craneman54]

All my boxes are new, hung head high,all have new foundation and I bait with lemongrass oil. The areas are right next to water sources and have open acreage on 3 sides. I live in farm country also.
I don't know if any of that will help you but I hope you catch what you want.

[OldMech]

   Cant catch swarms if there are none nearby to catch. It is also difficult to do if there are a lot of empty hives for the bees to choose from when they do swarm.
   One advantage I have found, is Scott Derricks Swarm Commander. If you want the best chance to catch a swarm, give it a try!
   With EVERY feral hive I know of dead this year, I did not even put my swarm traps out, hoping they might repopulate some of those locations. With luck, I will get photos and vids of swarms taking up residence next year.

[craneman54]

I may go put out a couple of more traps. I originally wanted 4 hives for my first year,but I am thinking I would go for 5 in case one or more  decide to leave.

[Blacksheep]

Hi: I have just caught 2 swarms and both were close to water!One was in the woods and other was nailed on side of a small barn about 30foot from a small pond.The trap I had in the woods was one of the brown paper things>UGH very hard to work that thing.
I had read a method for clearing the bees from that type trap so I am trying to use it.  Method:
I placed the screen bottom board on the spot where I want the hive and then put down a solid inter cover on that I placed a frameless 10 frame deep box.I had taped the entrance shut and still had the back on the trap so they can't escape.I then used a box part I had made for suqar feeding in the winter to get the boxes level with the  trap with the back removed.Then I removed the back and shook all the bees on the back into the round trap and quickly placed a 10 deep box on that with frames and foundtion.Put on a inter cover with 1 quart of sugar water and  put the lid on the box.
The method is working as the bees are already in the top of the box they are migrating up and  no entrances are available  at this point.went I am ready to release them I will remove the solid cover at the bottom and  the box with the trap inside it and it will be a normal 10 frame deep box with a inter cover and  feeder.
I hope my plan works!!
I went back to the site this afternoon and placed a new trap on the same tree.Might catch another one if I am lucky!!!

PS They were about 30 bees at the site guess they were foragers from the swarm.if they go in the new trap I might get them yet!Lost about 25 to 30 bees when I opened the top to put on the feeder they came right out and then wanted back in but no entrance.May be they will go into one of my hives there?