Swarm season begins.

Bob Wilson · March 11, 2021, 08:27:59 AM

I have my swarm boxes out. The honey flow seems to have begun with flowering pear trees. I purchased some of those steel entrance disks, small ones for the nucs I built, and larger ones for the swarm boxes. I really like the disks. This swarm box is in a graveyard with a pond behind it. And yes, I have permission.

rast · March 11, 2021, 09:07:02 PM

The wife and I got to watch a swarm come into a baited box in our back yard Monday afternoon. Sure was nice to see one come in instead of going out.

Beeboy01 · March 11, 2021, 11:18:05 PM

Watched a swarm leave one of my hives Tuesday and settle in a tree over the boat shed. Grabbed a ladder and duc taped a bucket onto a long pole. It took a few hard pokes to shake it into the bucket but had that baby safely in a nuc withing a hour or so. Yup it's swarm season.

Ben Framed · March 12, 2021, 12:27:04 AM

Bob sounds like a good spot with the water nearby. Have you noticed any scouts?

BeeMaster2 · March 12, 2021, 08:25:18 AM

Bob,
I have found that putting a swarm trap up against a tree or building works much better than one in the open. They are used to finding holes in trees and buildings.
Good choice.
I have five traps out.
Jim Altmiller

jtcmedic · March 12, 2021, 03:18:44 PM

Jim I followed your advised and left one in my barn near my equipment and wham have one scouting as I type, not sure where from as I split every one of mine. Also caught 2 at my brother-in-laws house near a lake they love the lake traps.
Good luck all

FatherMichael · March 12, 2021, 03:49:23 PM

Quote from: Bob Wilson on March 11, 2021, 08:27:59 AM
I have my swarm boxes out. The honey flow seems to have begun with flowering pear trees. I purchased some of those steel entrance disks, small ones for the nucs I built, and larger ones for the swarm boxes. I really like the disks. This swarm box is in a graveyard with a pond behind it. And yes, I have permission.

Is that a five frame nuc, Bob?

jtcmedic · March 17, 2021, 10:24:46 PM

Caught 3 so far, the lake trap caught one , barn trap caught one today, and we put one a friends house that wanted to start keeping bees and he caught on today at 530. So far Been a great year

Ben Framed · March 18, 2021, 12:36:37 AM

Quote from: jtcmedic on March 17, 2021, 10:24:46 PM
Caught 3 so far, the lake trap caught one , barn trap caught one today, and we put one a friends house that wanted to start keeping bees and he caught on today at 530. So far Been a great year

You are doing well!

jtcmedic · March 18, 2021, 06:41:55 AM

Quote from: Ben Framed on March 18, 2021, 12:36:37 AM
Quote from: jtcmedic on March 17, 2021, 10:24:46 PM
Caught 3 so far, the lake trap caught one , barn trap caught one today, and we put one a friends house that wanted to start keeping bees and he caught on today at 530. So far Been a great year

You are doing well!

Is has all come together, thank you

Bob Wilson · March 18, 2021, 08:05:36 AM

My friend is having more success than I. Scouts are sniffing around some old equipment donated to him, and a box he placed on his old homestead. I will check mine after this storm passes. Bees seem to swarm on a sunny day after a rainy day.
Michael.
The swarm box in the picture above holds 6 deep frames in the top, and is 2xs taller than a standard deep hive box. You can find the plans on horizontalhives.com.
However, if I make more, I will probably just make standard deeps for my swarm traps, with a solid bottom board and a migratory top.