swarm traps

trimman · February 21, 2016, 11:16:17 AM

what would be the best time to set out swarm traps in and around gainsville fla

iddee · February 21, 2016, 11:22:32 AM

Now

BeeMaster2 · February 21, 2016, 08:47:16 PM

I'll second that. They will be swarming soon.
Jim

MikeyN.C. · February 22, 2016, 05:24:14 PM

Can't you do a split to keep hives from swarming, that's what we're going to try and do

Dallasbeek · February 22, 2016, 05:57:45 PM

Quote from: MikeyN.C. on February 22, 2016, 05:24:14 PM
Can't you do a split to keep hives from swarming, that's what we're going to try and do

"There is no try. There is only do," (or something to that effect).

RC · February 22, 2016, 08:54:30 PM

Should have had them up already. A friend of mine caught one over the weekend and has a lot of activity around another one in Alachua.

GSF · February 25, 2016, 06:54:17 AM

MikeyNC;

That question doesn't have an "exact" correct answer. Remember there are swarms and after swarms. You can do a split, but if you've missed a QC or a virgin queen they're liable to swarm anyway.

I'm curious if there's ever been a study on splits vs a swarm hanging in a tree. The comparison being which one would build up faster. I want to lean on the one in the tree - because it's natural. My leaning is not really based on anything except last year I caught 25-27 swarms out of my apiary and they done great toward building up. I did some splits as well and they done good but I never thought of comparing them.

yes2matt · February 25, 2016, 07:15:29 AM

What direction should the opening face?

Dallasbeek · February 25, 2016, 12:15:46 PM

Quote from: GSF on February 25, 2016, 06:54:17 AM
MikeyNC;

That question doesn't have an "exact" correct answer. Remember there are swarms and after swarms. You can do a split, but if you've missed a QC or a virgin queen they're liable to swarm anyway.

I'm curious if there's ever been a study on splits vs a swarm hanging in a tree. The comparison being which one would build up faster. I want to lean on the one in the tree - because it's natural. My leaning is not really based on anything except last year I caught 25-27 swarms out of my apiary and they done great toward building up. I did some splits as well and they done good but I never thought of comparing them.

Bees preparing to swarm load up on honey, so they can build comb faster. Queen needs comb to lay eggs, so swarm should build up faster. BUT if you put split on drawn comb with plenty of stores, those will have an edge. So it must depend on management. (?)