Swarm lure

[papabear]

I read that I can use lemongrass oil to catch swarms. Has anyone used this method or is there another way to lure swarms? If I buy a swarm trap they want $49.99 just to ship it . What is the method of useing the lemongrass oil?

[Kathyp]

i have been told to just use a super with some comb in it.  that's what i plan to do this year.  my hope is that if any of my hives swarm, i'll catch my own back.

[Michael Bush]

>Has anyone used this method

Yes.  Many times.

> or is there another way to lure swarms?

You can put all your "retired" queens in a jar of alcohol.  The alcohol from the jar works pretty well.  You can spend a lot more money than the lemongrass oil to buy lemongrass oil in little plastic vials from the bee supply places. They work fine too.

> If I buy a swarm trap they want $49.99 just to ship it . What is the method of useing the lemongrass oil?

How much to buy it?  I would just use an old box.  Any old box will do, but one that had bees in it will work better.  An old ten frame deep is the PERFECT size and a five frame deep works ok.  Old comb is a good lure as well.

Here's some reading for you:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesferal.htm

[Understudy]

I buy lemongrass oil for a few dollars from a local health food store. I have had success with it.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Kathyp]

i bought  mine off ebay.  got a better deal than i could find in town even with shipping.  if anyone is interested, i can post the name of the company.  i use them quite a bit making bath salts, etc.  they will combine orders and it saves lots on shipping.

[ktbearpaws]

Where can I get some comb?

[Michael Bush]

Out of a hive.  :)

[Zoot]

is it practical to set up a bait hive as a trap for one's own potential swarms?

[Robo]

is it practical to set up a bait hive as a trap for one's own potential swarms?

I guess it would depend on how many hives you have and how well you manage them.  If managed correctly,  there should be very minimal swarm potential.   Doing splits is a better way than trying to capture swarms from them.   If you do set out traps,  take Michael's advice on distance and height.

[Michael Bush]

>is it practical to set up a bait hive as a trap for one's own potential swarms?

Yes.  But further is better than closer.

Of course the idea is to keep them from swarming.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesswarmcontrol.htm

[hummingberd]

Michael-

    Why would you choose to lure a swarm into a deep hive body, when you actually use medium boxes?  Just curious, cause it seems complicated to switch them.  At least for a new beek like me.

Thanks
:)

[Zoot]

Good question...I only use mediums myself.

[Michael Bush]

> Why would you choose to lure a swarm into a deep hive body, when you actually use medium boxes?

Because a wider hive is harder to tie into the crotch of a tree and because I still have some deeps laying around.  A five frame deep nuc with medium frames in it works well for me.

>  Just curious, cause it seems complicated to switch them.

Nothing to switch.  I have medium frames in them.

[papabear]

if i put a box with drawn comb arn't the wax moths going to tear it up?

[Robo]

if i put a box with drawn comb arn't the wax moths going to tear it up?

Possibly.

If it is really old and hard they may not.  If it has never had brood reared in it they may not. But the best bet is to treat is with Certan.

[Michael Bush]

>if i put a box with drawn comb arn't the wax moths going to tear it up?

http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=18

[ktbearpaws]

>" Old comb is a good lure as well."

Will foundation board work along with the lemongrass?

[BEEMAN]

BEEMAN'S TWO CENTS

I HAVE READ MANY POSTS ON USING LEMON GRASS OIL AS A LURE FOR
SWARM TRAPS, SO I PURCAHSED SOME ON EBAY. I DECIDED TO TEST IT BY
PUTTING A FEW DROPS ON A PAPER TOWEL AND SETTING IT OUT ON MY
PORCH. WITHIN TWO TO THREE MINUTES I HAD A HUNDRED OR MORE HONEY BEES FLYING AROUND THE PAPER TOWEL. THEY STAYED UNTIL AFTER DARK BEFORE THEY LEFT. SO I GUESS IT WILL WORK IN MY SWARM TRAPS THIS
SPRING.

[Mici]

wow have to try this out!

[Kathyp]

just be careful where you put it.  i got some on the outside of my hive.  bees clumped on it and the next morning, i had a dead clump of bees.  they stayed there through a rain storm.