For you trap-out experts out there, I’m wondering if you could add some electronics to the trap out process to make it less chaotic in terms of bees flying around all day? I’m a student on this; never done a trap out.
I’m under the impression that the trapped out bees will keep trying to find a way around a trap-out funnel until dusk at which time they give up and look for anyplace warm for the night (the trap hive). Is this true? How long does a bee keep trying to find a way around the funnel before giving up?
My trap-out situation is a neighbor with a riding stable, a nearly dead tree with bees within 8 feet, lots of kids around, and uneasy with the bees right next to the horses and kids. I would prefer to just leave them in the tree and try to catch swarms, but that’s not my call. Hence I’m looking for a way to trap out those bees without resulting in tons of angry bees flying around for hours and hours trying to get thru the tunnel. Like I said they ride horses within 8 feet of this tree all day.
What I’m thinking about is replacing the traditional wire funnel with a tube (say 4” long opaque) and putting a door at the end of the tube. I would then attach a $5 RC airplane servo to the door so it can be opened and closed electronically. Furthermore I was thinking of adding a 8 bit micro to it to control when the door opens and closes.
I’m wondering how effective a trap might be if you programmed the 8 bit micro to keep the door open during the day and just close it about 2 hours before dusk. The idea would be to reduce the chaos around the hive during the day (open door) and just activate the trap out process in the evenings to catch the last wave of returning field bees.
Thoughts? Other ideas? Maybe the chaos of confused bees isn’t as bad as I imagine?