Swarm trap question.

sweet bee · June 25, 2011, 02:10:43 PM

Just wondering....Is it too late to put swarm traps out in South Georgia? I assume that certain times of the year is better than others?

Bee-Bop · June 25, 2011, 02:19:50 PM

Old saying;
" Bees will swarm till there is frost on the pumpkin "

Bee-Bop

AllenF · June 25, 2011, 06:13:37 PM

You have missed the prime time for swarms but there is still a chance (small chance). But you will get to have the traps out and be ready for early spring next year. Just rebait them then.

G3farms · June 25, 2011, 10:35:15 PM

A swarm in May is worth a load of hay.
A swarm in June is worth a silver spoon.
A swarm in July isn't worth a fly.

sweet bee · June 26, 2011, 01:20:58 AM

Very clever sayings :-D I will have to remember those. I have a pear tree and when the fruit starts to over ripe, it attracts loads of bees. so I thought I could try a swarm trap in that area. but I noticed that it is only about 25 yards from my own two hives. And I certainly don't want to trap my very own bees :shock: haha

JP · June 26, 2011, 06:11:11 AM

Quote from: sweet new-bee on June 26, 2011, 01:20:58 AM
Very clever sayings :-D I will have to remember those. I have a pear tree and when the fruit starts to over ripe, it attracts loads of bees. so I thought I could try a swarm trap in that area. but I noticed that it is only about 25 yards from my own two hives. And I certainly don't want to trap my very own bees :shock: haha

Well, if one of your hives was to throw off a swarm, you wouldn't want to catch them? :-D

Foraging activity does not equate to swarming activity. You see bees on your pear tree but this does not mean that that hive or any hive in your area is gearing to swarm.

You place swarm traps out for bees that are about to swarm. They go to traps on their own volition.

I believe you may be confused by the word "trap" here.

Its intended use is as a new place for a swarm to settle or not, their decision, not yours.

A swarm trap is an opportunity to catch (acquire) another hive.

Always good to have an empty hive box or two in your bee yard as swarm traps, in case a swarm needs a home. As mentioned, early spring, before bees in your area have begun to swarm is when you want to place traps.

Find out when that happens in your area.

Search "catching swarms and swarm traps/luring swarms" on this site for lots of info on the subject.

...JP

G3farms · June 26, 2011, 01:04:23 PM

I think JP has your confusion figured out. If you are thinking of a trap like a bug trap to catch yellow jackets or Japanese beetles, it is not.

When a hive decides to split into two (sometimes more) they will swarm. The old queen will leave taking about 1/2 of the workers with her (this is the swarm you want to catch or "trap" in an appropriate container, say an old deep hive body with a couple of frames in it). Mean while back at the old hive there will be several queen cells ready to hatch out along with brood in all stages and nurse bees.

Putting out traps or catch boxes will give the new swarm a home that you can manipulate. If the swarm flies off into the wild they might take up residence in a wall, hollow tree or any where they can find that suits them. Before and after they swarm scout bees will be out in force looking for a new home and will report back to the masses of their findings, the more excited they are the more will come to check the new site out.

sweet bee · June 26, 2011, 01:37:31 PM

ooooh....Now I get it :-D I was afraid that putting a swarm trap would entice my bees to leave their happy little hive.

Thank you for all the great advice. It is deeply appreciated. :)

~Angie