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Author Topic: What size for swarm traps?  (Read 4056 times)

Offline gardeningfireman

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What size for swarm traps?
« on: April 11, 2011, 10:29:20 am »
I need to build some swarm traps pretty soon. I have plans for traps that are the size of a 5-frame nuc. That seems to be too small for a good size swarm to want to move into(ie no room for potential colony growth). A trap the size of a brood box would be pretty awkward to handle. Last year I built a few boxes slightly narrower than a brood box and scouts showed interest in them but no swarms ever moved in. What is the most successful size swarm trap?

Offline Tommyt

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Re: What size for swarm traps?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2011, 11:51:54 am »
Take your 5 frame plan make them and stack so you have 10
I myself have been thinking the 5 frame looks small
I built Dcoates plans and left the bottom off one
I just put 2 small pieces of wood to keep it square
Then screwed together
I don't have it here or I'd take a picture for you

Good luck
Tommyt
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Offline VolunteerK9

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Re: What size for swarm traps?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2011, 01:34:55 pm »
But on the flip side of the coin, I caught a couple of swarms in five frame mediums last year. Ive got both hung right now-deeps and mediums, only time will tell.

Offline gardeningfireman

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Re: What size for swarm traps?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2011, 02:48:39 pm »
Thanks for the ideas! I like the idea of stacking two 5-frame boxes. That way after swarm season, I can convert them back to regular nucs.

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: What size for swarm traps?
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2011, 01:02:07 am »
Lemongrass essential oil stacks the deck more than size, but a ten frame deep (or two eight frame mediums) is about the right volume to be optimal for attracting a swarm.  I've had good luck, though with five frame deeps and single eight frame mediums.
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Offline BjornBee

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Re: What size for swarm traps?
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2011, 08:12:35 am »
Here are some tips......

10 things to consider for swarm trap success

Honey Bees…..

* prefer a swarm trap (colony location) about 8 to 15 feet off the ground.

* will disregard a trap with light coming in from above.

* prefer a trap equivalent to a cavity size slightly larger than a deep brood
   box.

* will select sites in the afternoon shade. They may abandon a site within a
   few days if in full sun and heat is an issue.

* prefer bait hives with entrances facing south.

* prefer a entrance towards the bottom of the cavity.

* prefer a unobstructed flight path from the entrance.

* will not take up residence in a bait hive that has other insects in them.
   Keep them free of wasps, yellow jackets, etc.

* prefer a bait hive that is dry.

* prefer a previously used site that has a honey bee smell of old comb, or
   one that has baited with bee scent.

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Offline CapnChkn

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Re: What size for swarm traps?
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2011, 01:04:38 pm »
I have yet to actually catch any swarms, but I have built some bait hives.  I worried myself over the size of the cavity until I just decided if the things didn't catch a swarm, I would have a whole bunch of ugly wooden boxes laying around without being used.  I'm using the Dcoates 5 frame Nuc design.

Bjorn, I have been trying to get some bees to notice my swarm traps.  They seem to be attracting:
  • Wasps
  • Mice
  • Some bees around what I realized now is the old Honey House
  • And Roaches.
I can understand keeping the Wasps and Mice out, but will the Roaches make all the fastidious bees go "ewww!" and go look for a different place?  They don't seem to want to get in the comb, these are a smaller version of what we used to call "Palmetto bugs" down in Florida.  They seem to be hanging out on the bottom board, enjoying the dark.
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Offline James M. Wagner

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Re: What size for swarm traps?
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2013, 03:04:01 pm »
I've used Coates-style nucs as traps before to no avail. This year, I am trying the same but with a medium super added. I plan to set some out with a deep super added.

Has anyone ever experimented with using a nuc plus a medium super vs a nuc plus a deep super? If so, what are/were your results? Recommendations?

Thanks.

-James Wagner
James M. Wagner

Offline bailey

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Re: What size for swarm traps?
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2013, 03:15:49 pm »
I hang medium dcoats nucs and catch a lot.
Bailey
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Offline Robo

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Re: What size for swarm traps?
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2013, 04:19:47 pm »
Last year I put out a pair of swarm traps in 11 different locations.  Each location had a 20 litre and 30 litre volume trap within 2 feet of each other.   I caught 9 swarms in these locations and 8 out of the 9 chose the 30 litre trap.   

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