Preparing Swarm for Natural Cell Size

[Pond Creek Farm]

I am fishing for swarms this spring.  I may not catch anything, but the fishing will be fun nonetheless.  I am interested in learning how to condition a swarm for natural swarm size.  I have learned (I think) that it may be a false assumption to assume that feral bees that I might catch are already regressed.  So how do I do it?  Should the body I put out be filled with foundationless frames or starter stips?  If strips, should there be any impression?  Thoughts?

[Robo]

I have learned (I think) that it may be a false assumption to assume that feral bees that I might catch are already regressed.

Correct, they could be a swarm from a large cell hive.

So how do I do it?

Same way as you regress non-ferals

Should the body I put out be filled with foundationless frames or starter stips?

That is one method,  HSC is another quicker option

If strips, should there be any impression?  Thoughts?

Doesn't matter,  they will not follow the pattern anyway.  They will build whatever size they want below the starter strip.

[Pond Creek Farm]

I am sorry to be thick, but what does "HSC" mean?

[buzzbee]

I believe its "Honey Super Cell"Manufactured small cell

[Robo]

http://www.honeysupercell.com

[Michael Bush]

For a bait hive, I'd just put poscicle sticks in the groove of the top bar and use some swarm lure.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesferal.htm#baithives

[tillie]

A Greek beekeeper wrote me that I should mix the lemongrass oil with some beeswax and olive oil to make a mixture that will last a little longer than the lemongrass oil alone.  I've got it on my empty hive - on the frames, on the entrance and around the inner cover.  We'll see what happens.

Here's the mix


Linda T eagerly hopeful in Atlanta