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Author Topic: Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?  (Read 2145 times)

Offline teezbees

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Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?
« on: February 19, 2011, 07:52:00 pm »
I've got 3 swarm traps (molded fiber type) that I'm putting out this year. I live in upstate South Carolina; about 2 1/2 hours from Atlanta and about 1 1/2 hours from Charlotte.

When is the right time to set them up? I don't want to nail them up in the tree too early, but I don't want to wait until it's too late either.

Thanks

Travis

Offline AllenF

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Re: Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2011, 08:29:38 pm »
I like to have mine out by the 2nd week of March here in Georgia.

Offline jmblakeney

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Re: Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2011, 08:40:51 pm »
I'm just over from you in Tennessee and was advised in a recent post for this area to put them out the first of April, generally the swarms start around the first of May.  I'm on my phone now so I can't post a link to that post.  I will later.  There was a lot of good info in there, including some info on the swarm lure.
« Last Edit: February 19, 2011, 09:03:18 pm by jmblakeney »
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Offline teezbees

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Re: Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2011, 08:46:21 pm »
James,

Please do. I'd like to read that article.

Nice blog by the way.

Travis

Offline jmblakeney

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Re: Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2011, 09:01:48 pm »
Here ya go. 
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it.  If you were at my blog you may have already seen this post.  A link to it was in the most recent one.  Either way you have it now.

Good luck,
James
"I believe the best social program is a job...." - Ronald Reagan

Offline hardwood

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Re: Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2011, 09:26:22 pm »
We're getting swarms already down here (FL). I haven't picked any up yet but noticed today in one of our yards that two hives have swarmed.

Scott
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Offline Grandma_DOG

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Re: Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2011, 12:53:10 am »
Put your traps out 1 week before your earliest known swarm.  Here in Central Texas, thats about Feb 25.
Here is my new book on Swarm Trapping at http://learningbeekeeping.com/beekeeping-articles/how-to-swarm-trap/ and follow me on youtube at OutOfaBlueSky

Offline Tommyt

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Re: Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2011, 08:07:03 am »
Hardwood
 Thanks for the heads up. Being new I would have bet they were already but I kept telling myself
I was just seeing more bees because I look more,and the bees are just active because of spring
 That Box I spoke with you about I haven't moved yet, so I attached a 10 frame deep to the entrance
I then put a small comb with brood in it,The bees went to it like, bee crack, they had guard bees on it the very next day I took one between the eyes LOL
I'm hoping they think they swarmed,when I get them to the permanent yard If there is still good numbers,I'm going to try and make two hives. I really like this leaning curve hope the excitement lasts for ever.

Tommyt
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Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: Swarm Traps - When to Set Up?
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2011, 08:24:47 pm »
Feral bees will swarm earlier, and more often, than hobby or commercial hives.  If you want a crack at 1st feral swarms have your traps out by 1st of March.
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