Learning Beekeeping

8 Responses to “Swarm Traps working – 2 more caught”

1. Chuckarama says:

   April 20, 2011 at 8:51 am

   I think swarm trapping is a good beekeeper service, especially if you’re in an urban or suburban area. There’s been a lot of noise lately, especially about urban beekeeping, and suburban beekeeping and they have become extremely popular. Municipalities have been changing rules to allow backyard and rooftop beekeeping. One of the problems that will develop from that is the nuisance complaints as swarms begin moving into unwanted crevices in homes, sheds, playhouses and all the other places bees find to their tastes. While they’re wonderful creatures, they can easily be seen as a pest, if they’re unwanted and uninvited. Sometimes removing them after they’ve setup shop in someones home, it can be costly to remove them and repair the damage.

   Your swarm traps have just prevented at least two more colonies from potentially becoming perceived as pests, and has them on their way to becoming productive members of your neighborhood. I wish more beekeepers would set swarm traps around their area.

2. George says:

   May 5, 2011 at 5:57 pm

   I caught a swarm and trapped them in a super with frames.

   How long do I lock them in? I fed them at night to prevent mass exodus and have a Broadman feeder attached. They are pretty revved up today.

   Source-stuck to a garage door/wall upper corner. Didn’t bring bee brush and had to pull them off by hand. Seemed pretty docile. The handful that are not in the box but gathered under the box didn’t seem to be wanting to attack. Only stings were on gloves.

   So, now what? The usual 7 days?

3. mccartney says:

   May 5, 2011 at 7:44 pm

   I’d move them to your outyard and open them up quickly. They should already have built comb and they will likely stay now. If you have a frame of brood with eggs from another hive, i’d give it to them to anchor them.

4. George says:

   May 7, 2011 at 1:41 pm

   Only have one other starter hive. No frame with brood available. We’ll see what happens.

   I have some burr comb in the bottom. When do you suggest I open the hive and go fishing? My plan is to put a new baseboard under the current brood box. This will hopefully make it a simple change and removal at the same time.

5. George says:

   May 8, 2011 at 11:21 am

   Update: They left.

   Looks like there is a much smaller hive now where I found them. Looks like the queen got away. Once the lemon balm was cleaned out there was nothing to keep them. I’ll try again tomorrow.

6. Jason says:

   May 24, 2011 at 8:24 am

   How often do you check your traps? And how long do you leave them in there prior to taking to their new home? I promise I will still buy your book if you give me this info…. 🙂

7. mccartney says:

   May 24, 2011 at 9:33 am

   Using traps with frames is key. With frames, you should check your traps every week. But as a busy guy, every 2 weeks is what I do. If you had the crappy paper traps, you need to check them every 2 days.

8. Iiezmhaaldistadochisadega says:

   November 25, 2012 at 11:03 am

   Thank You! I can’t wait to get some honey, too! I don’t expect we will get any this year, but I will try to do a video when we add the honey super and exaplin that to you a bit. I hope I don’t steer you wrong .I have so much to learn myself! :0)