Author Topic: Honey bee swarm traps  (Read 2580 times)

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Offline BowEd

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Honey bee swarm traps
« on: March 29, 2020, 04:38:08 pm »
It's that time of year to catch rouge honey swarms.The bees will be getting more active soon.
I use a couple of these to catch them and transfer them to a hive box.
The way I understand it a scout is looking for a place.Brings the queen to it and the rest of the hive comes along with her.Over past springs we've caught quite a few.I sell the hives if I get more than I want.


« Last Edit: March 29, 2020, 05:30:35 pm by BowEd »
BowEd
You got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
Ed

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Honey bee swarm traps
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2020, 09:43:41 pm »
You can buy pheromone baits that will attract homeless swarms, too. Never hurts to have an ace in the hole, so to speak.
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Offline BowEd

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Re: Honey bee swarm traps
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2020, 11:13:27 pm »
JW....Yes if you had looked close enough you see a used pheromone queen bee cage hanging from one of the frames.The scent from that is still on there.I've heard lemon attracts them also.We've had bees for quite a while here at our place and I've helped a local big time honey distributor here out with his bees also.Ha has swarm traps set up all over the place also.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2020, 06:40:35 am by BowEd »
BowEd
You got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
Ed

Offline YosemiteBen

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Re: Honey bee swarm traps
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2020, 12:10:27 am »
Very Nice- More time than I want to invest!

Offline BowEd

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Re: Honey bee swarm traps
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2020, 06:33:15 am »
This fella I mentioned and me sell the over run of hives we don't need.$150.00 a hive with queen.Seems there is a trend these days of people wanting their own bee hives to make their own honey.
BowEd
You got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
Ed

Offline Knocker

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Re: Honey bee swarm traps
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2020, 06:27:19 pm »
I've kept old western hive bodies out for years, but can never seem to catch a swarm that way.  I might have to see if I can find some of the pheromone you mentioned.  I used to keep bees, but I'm not willing to pay what a package of bees costs anymore.
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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Honey bee swarm traps
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2020, 06:40:51 pm »
New colonies are selling for $200.  No wonder Ed and I are looking to catch swarms!
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.