Buying Bees

[misfitmorgan]

Thanks Happy Chooks! There are some tall bushes closer to where the bee hive go on DH's Boss's place so i was thinking of sticking a box there and a laddar seems like a good way to do it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Beekissed]

Here's a question....can you trap a swarm as successfully if you don't elevate your bait box? I know getting it to 6 ft or more is desirable but I'd like to bait my hive box instead of a bait box and it's just a really heavy piece of work, I can't imagine hefting it up a tree to get it higher.

 

[Latestarter]

You can try... I don't think it will be as successful, I mean there's no guarantee of success with a baited trap in a tree either...

 

[misfitmorgan]

The people who bring their bees in put swarm traps on top of all their hives and it seems to work good for them. They are definitely not 6ft or more off the ground.

 

[Beekissed]

That gives me hope! I'll be doing a top bar hive also, so I'm hoping a wild swarm finds that pleasing to their idea of a home.

 

[Happy Chooks]

That gives me hope! I'll be doing a top bar hive also, so I'm hoping a wild swarm finds that pleasing to their idea of a home.

I've heard that used comb will have a higher chance of bringing in a swarm. The smell of the hive is a lure for them, and lemongrass oil. I don't have drawn comb for my swarm trap, but I just inspected my hive and removed a ping pong ball size burr comb, so I'll stick that in my trap for the smell.

 

[Beekissed]

I had heard the same and will be stopping by a local beekeeper's place in search of old comb to use. I'll also be using the lemongrass. It would be simply delightful if this actually pulls in a wild swarm.

 

[misfitmorgan]

Good luck to you Beekissed!!

i ordered swarm commander....shall see if it works. But swarm season wont start here until like may so its a long wait. Least i am getting my package bees delivered the end of may so i know will have some kind of bees lol. Also wait listed for a nice northern queen for to requeen with hopefully around july or so.

 

[Beekissed]

And to you, MM! I took that "hive" box apart today to see how my Lang deep frame would fit in it....fits perfectly. Just need to do some tweaks to make this into a hive body and then make me some bars for comb, bait it and wait.

This is pretty exciting! I've always loved honeybee life and admire God's handiwork in their complex design and social structure.

 

[babsbag]

The more I learn about bees the more amazed I am by their complexity and social life. I just got two nucs on Saturday so let's see if I can keep these alive for more than 6 months.