Pollen trap or trap-out?

[patook]

I recently put a sundance II pollen trap on the top of one of my hives. I am collecting a small amount of pollen, but I am concerned. I have a large number of bees collecting between the trap and the top cover. It seems like the bees are unwilling or unable to go down through the trap to get into the hive. Is this normal? I am afraid I am doing an unintentional trap-out of my hive.

I will try to get some pictures tomorrow to show the amount of bees, but it is a large number.

[sc-bee]

I have not used a trap myself yet. Although I purchased one this year and my intentions were good :)

Did you go from a bottom entrance to a top entrance with the trap. If so I understand it takes a while for them to orient to the top entrance but they will work it out.

[Brian D. Bray]

You want a pollen collector that can be disabled in place, so that the bees can enter without going through the collector part.  Let the bees us the entrance for several days to get use to the new route into  the hive.  After they begin using the entrance without bearding in front of it, then turn the collector to the setting for collecting the pollen.

You do not want to use the pollen collector for a long continuous period as the bees need the pollen to develop brood.  So set it to collect for a week and then disable it for a week and repeat.  This will also serve to encourage the bees to use the entrance. 

Some beekeepers with non-adjustable pollen collectors opt to provide and 2nd entrance so the bees can bypass the collector.  Some bees will go through it without problems and other hesitate so a 2nd entrance is for the hesitant.

[Michael Bush]

They will get used to it.