Building a Bait Hive

[flyboy]

I just lost my first swarm. Funnily enough I was going to construct a Bait Hive but I figured that they wouldn't swarm in year one, but alas...

So any suggestions on how to build one? I have a large evergreen right above the hives.

[jayj200]

you can use a ten frame deep with old comb on one frame. you can divide this in two with a solid divider.

the great thing about this method is after they take well with eggs and brood just remove the divider and add more new frames
that is how I caught four this year
jay

[OldMech]

Robo has some GOOD information on them..  heres his PDF, and check his site too!

    http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/downloads/beekeeping/BushkillSwarmTrap.pdf

   http://beevac.com/swarm-traps/

[flyboy]

you can use a ten frame deep with old comb on one frame. you can divide this in two with a solid divider.

the great thing about this method is after they take well with eggs and brood just remove the divider and add more new frames
that is how I caught four this year
jay

I am wondering why you used a divider? Is that to limit the number of frames used for this?

[flyboy]

Robo has some GOOD information on them..  heres his PDF, and check his site too!

    http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/downloads/beekeeping/BushkillSwarmTrap.pdf

   http://beevac.com/swarm-traps/

Very nice design! I am going to take some time to examine it. Nice thing is that it is lighter for putting up a tree.

[OldMech]

Yes!!  Lighter IS better!!   Took a box out of a cottonwood about nine feet up...  it landed on my head after I landed on my head, and the bees inside were NOT impressed.....   My swarm boxes all decreased in size after that episode..

[flyboy]

Robo has some GOOD information on them..  heres his PDF, and check his site too!

    http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/downloads/beekeeping/BushkillSwarmTrap.pdf

   http://beevac.com/swarm-traps/

I am trying to figure out what differences there are between the 1/4"luan plywood and the 3/8" ply in the Bushkill Swarm Trap. Is it just a matter of one being stronger? or is one more weather resistant?

I wonder about making them out of
coroplast or
plastic coated insulation?

Would the bees chew up the insulation?
or would it tend to repel them as in they wouldn't want to go there?

[sarahplusbees]

If you are going to be putting up bait hives, I highly recommend the book "Swarm Traps and Bait Hives" by McCartney Taylor. It's a short read, and it's packed with really useful info.

[flyboy]

How many bait hives do you have at any given time?

[jayj200]

the reason I use a divider is every talks about a bait hive.
that this is the acceptable size the bees look for.
just doing the cost saving plan thing. one size hive or nest box. they like smaller confined dark places.
so reason has it I will not cut up a box just divide it in two

[Dallasbeek]

On Robo's swarm trap, how is the top secured to the body?  Looks to me like a readily removable top would be helpful, like maybe hinges on one side and hasp or something opposite would be handy.