Mesh floors on on swarm traps

[bemmyboy]

Hi to all, I 'm pretty new to swarm trapping, have collected quite a few years ago loose.   I have a abundance of wire  varroa mesh as I make my own hives, I was just wondering can you use wire mesh for the floor of the traps as opposed to a solid floor.  I want to make more than one trap as I only have a limited amount of timber at the moment and wish to get some traps built and in position asp.  Can anyone give me any advice on this please!

[Kathyp]

sure or just hang boxes with open bottoms.  the only problem i see with the mesh is that they are apt to gather on it, rather than in your trap.  almost any container can be used as a swarm trap if it's properly baited and if you can remove the swarm into it's eventual home.

[beyondthesidewalks]

Scout bees prefer a dark cavity and probably will not choose a trap with a mesh floor.  Most folks make their traps very tight with one entrance.  If you do deploy swarm traps with mesh floors and succeed in trapping swarms, please report back your findings.

[Robo]

I'm with BTS.   My experience has been bees prefer a closed space.   If materials is an issue,  you can used recycled materials for the floor.   All of my swarm traps have floors made out of old political coroplast (plastic corrugated cardboard) signs.   Makes the traps a little lighter too.

[oblib]

-snip-  All of my swarm traps have floors made out of old political coroplast (plastic corrugated cardboard) signs.   Makes the traps a little lighter too.

Dang, wish I had thought of that. My 3/4" plywood traps are HEAVY.

[beyondthesidewalks]

I've used 1/2", 3/8", 1/4" and even Lauan.  Whatever was the cheapest at the time.  Local big box sells cull lumber at a bargain.  I can find any of the previously mentioned for $.50 to $2.00, depending on size and condition.  Warps are easily taken care of by small size and the ability to make it straight with deck screws.