Which Pollen Trap?

[Ben Framed]

I received a new supply catalogue a couple days ago. There was a variety of choices offered. Superior Pollen Trap, Sundance pollen trap, 10 frame drawer pollen trap, Side drawer Sundance pollen trap etc.
Which did you choose? Is there one that you prefer over the other since your purchase? What are your experiances?

Thanks,

Phillip

[The15thMember]

I have this one, the bottom-mounted 8-frame Sundance: https://www.betterbee.com/pollen-collection/ptrapb-bot-mount-pollen-trap.asp
I've been very happy with it over my first season using it.  I have the rear drawer, since the side drawer wasn't an option in 8-frame.  It only takes the bees about half a day to learn the trap, the drone escapes work well, and it's extremely easy to just pull the drawer out to get the pollen without disturbing the hive.  It's a little difficult to paint, since it's hard to reach all the way into the trap, and I hope it holds up well over time in my damp climate.  The only real issue I've had is that the feature that allows the bees to bypass the trap doesn't work with Mann Lake bottom boards, at least not 8-frame ones, as they are narrower than the trap and you can't drop the wooden piece at the front onto the landing board, because that wooden piece is too wide.     

[Ben Framed]

Thanks Member for the detailed positive report. Just what I was looking for! A quick question. Does this particular trap come with hardware cloth type collection or perforated entrance byways type collection?. Not that it matters to me. Just curious.

Thanks again,

Phillip

[The15thMember]

Thanks Member for the detailed positive report. Just what I was looking for! A quick question. Does this particular trap come with hardware cloth type collection or perforated entrance byways type collection?. Not that it matters to me. Just curious.

Thanks again,

Phillip

Mine is hardware cloth. 

[Ben Framed]

The15thMember
Mine is hardware cloth.

'Before' I ask the question here of what type pollen stripper your trap used, I had read that different companies make them with different types of pollen 'getters' lol :-), Hardware cloth being one.

'Since' the time I ask the question of the type your trap uses and your answer, I found an older post here by Mr Bush explaining the reasoning of Hardware Cloth. He says since the Hardware cloth is square, (#5), the bees will need to position themselves to enter at an angle, dragging at least one leg against the wire, dislodging the pollen on that leg while the other leg will retain its pollen load, carrying it into the box. He did not say but I feel sure pollen from both legs will be dislodged many times. As per the description of the betterbee trap that you posted relating to the amount retained vs kept by the bees. "This trap collects about 2/3 of the pollen loads on bees' legs."  Which is awesome! Thank you Member for your help.

[BurleyBee]

I?m thinking of getting the Apimaye pollen tray?

[Ben Framed]

I?m thinking of getting the Apimaye pollen tray?

There has been attention given to this one lately on some of the youtube videos. What in particular do you like about the Apimaye pollen traps Burley?

[BagziK]

Sundance Pollen Trap is great.

[G3farms]

15thmember.......to make the door work on your bottom board, pull the door out and cut "notches" it to fit in between the side rails of your bottom board. Do not cut off the whole end of the door board.

https://www.betterbee.com/images/Sundance_Bottom_Mount_Pollen_Trap.pdf

[Brian MCquilkin]

Over the years I have used a number of pollen taps and finally settled on the sundance trap. Used both the top and bottom traps and prefer the sundance top pollen trap.
The sundance top trap: I don't have to bend down to collect pollen, easy to install and remove the trap.
On the colonies that are to have top pollen traps one week before adding the traps, I close all bottom entrances and give them a top entrance. This gives the bees time to adjust and use the top entrance, when the bees are adjusted and using the top entrance add the trap.

[The15thMember]

15thmember.......to make the door work on your bottom board, pull the door out and cut "notches" it to fit in between the side rails of your bottom board. Do not cut off the whole end of the door board.

https://www.betterbee.com/images/Sundance_Bottom_Mount_Pollen_Trap.pdf

Thanks for the tip.  I do have some Brushy Mountain bottom boards, so I'll probably just use the trap with a hive that has one of those this year instead.  But if I have trouble with those too, then I'll modify it to work better with my equipment. 

[Michael Bush]

I've inherited pollen traps, build my own, and bought various kinds.  My favorite is the eight frame (because I run all eight frame) Sundance II which is a top trap.  If you are serious about pollen, especially if you want to clean it and sell it, the top trap is the cleanest.  It's also easy to put on and take off.  But don't try to get them to start using a top entrance at the same time as you put on a pollen trap.  They have enough trouble getting used to going through the trap when it's where the entrance always was.  I have all top entrances on all my hives, so the Sudance II works really well for me.

Things I like about the Sundance.
1) the drone escapes, not only let the drones out, but the workers quickly start to use them to get out saving them the trouble of going through the #5 hardware cloth to leave.
2) the trap only catches about half the pollen so you don't have to turn it on and off.
3) probably most good pollen traps have this, but it has a window screen bottom on the drawer and this keeps the pollen from molding.
4) in general it is well build and well designed
5) it comes in a top entrance version which keeps the pollen much cleaner and since I have top entrances it's what I need.
6) it comes in an eight frame version which is what I need since I run all eight frame boxes.