Bee's are checking out my swarm traps.

trumpet01 · May 01, 2008, 06:33:24 PM

I put up two swarm traps two days ago and there are about twenty or thirty bees going in and out of both traps. It's about 5:30 p.m. Are these the scouts ? If so, it looks like they really like the traps.When,if ever, can I expect to see the swarm ? I know that the queen isn't in either hive. I can shine a light up inside and all I can see are workers moving all about. That lemon grass oil is the deal !!! I've never used one of these traps before, so how about some advice ? Jim <><

Shizzell · May 01, 2008, 10:59:30 PM

First of all, are you expecting a hive to swarm...or are you just throwing the hive out there for the hope that a feral hive will somehow find it? Is there wax or honey or some sort of food source in there?

The ones that are in there might be taking the wax out of there and putting it in another hive.

But it sounds like the trap is going good so far, thats what you want, you want bees exploring in there.

Jake

trumpet01 · May 02, 2008, 06:55:53 AM

The traps are the ones that look like a flower pot. They are at least 50 yards apart and on opposite sides of my house. I hung them about nine feet off of the ground. I put three small drops of lemon grass oil in each, and one drop at the entrance. I've been without bees for a while and the past two years I've had honey bees swarm here at the house. The ony thing that is in the trap is the lemon grass oil. Should I expect anything ? Thanks, Jim <><

JP · May 02, 2008, 09:07:04 AM

Jim, check the traps at night and if you have bees in the traps at night odds are most likely they have set up shop. If none at night, you're seeing scouts. If you see a bunch at night def they set up shop.

...JP

jimmyo · May 02, 2008, 09:15:53 AM

watch for drones and workers carying pollen in.
Jim

JP · May 02, 2008, 09:17:19 AM

Quote from: jimmyo on May 02, 2008, 09:15:53 AM
watch for drones and workers carying pollen in.
Jim

Workers.

...JP

bassman1977 · May 02, 2008, 11:00:20 AM

Quote
The ones that are in there might be taking the wax out of there and putting it in another hive.

Unless I am totally screwed up, bees won't recycle wax like this. It's all created new.

JP · May 02, 2008, 11:02:32 AM

Quote from: bassman1977 on May 02, 2008, 11:00:20 AM
Quote
The ones that are in there might be taking the wax out of there and putting it in another hive.

Unless I am totally screwed up, bees won't recycle wax like this. It's all created new.

I'm with you bassman.

...JP

trumpet01 · May 02, 2008, 12:35:40 PM

There isn't anything in the swarm trap but lemon grass oil. Some of the bees had pollen on board, but I think they were foraging and stopped by to take a look. Jim <><