Nothing really except for relocating them as soon as possible. Check this video to see what to do if that happens. th-cam.com/video/CHbPNhh9Er8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=eupP7LZhqN4RMbew
@@notvadersson Awesome. My first catch last year was memorial weekend in Grand Rapids I have a video for it and other Michigan content Best of luck. Let me know if you need any help
LW from Fl. Today its raining and also tomorrow, which will give me a chance to finish my 10 swarm traps. I like the way you hang them with cleat system. I have been making them with the board with the hole to hang them. Be yet I still have to secure them more with straps and rope. I'm going to take 5 of them and put your type of hanging system on them. It looks to be a more secure system. Good Luck , Stay Safe.
I think you will like the cleat style hanger. What I forgot to mention, I make a small block for the bottom side of the tree the make the box level if needed. You can see them on some of the boxes. Thanks for watching.
Hi Joey I built 4 more boxes just like yours a couple of weeks ago since I had such good luck last year with this model. Half the fun is building them and getting sawdust in your hair. I’ve been waiting for your signal to hang them. Will get busy this weekend in Baldwin County, AL. Tommy Burt
As I sit by the woodstove with my coffee and fleece lined jeans on, I see you working in a t-shirt and think, it's still mid winter here.🤗Stay warm, happy and healthy, peace, Brice
mug up from NH, good morning, Joey. It's 14 degrees and the wind is calm here at the farm. My fire is going, and my coffee is hot, show me some bees, please! Up here, swarm season is not until late May, early June, but as the Rooster said, one time, you probably won't be sorry you put you swarm traps up early, but you will be sorry if you put them up late. Thanks for sharing
Mike Barry recommended checking your site out if anyone was interested in catching swarms. I don't have bees anymore, but I still like to keep up with what's going on. This vid was impressive. I'm betting I will find a vid of your successes. That's the fun part.
Interesting video. I assume the reason for the three frames without foundation is to give them more space. Have you had problems transporting them if they draw out a lot of comb in them? This is making me antsy to get out with my bees but it is 25F here near KC, MO. I look forward to seeing you in Louisville next January.
Yes, that is what I am after. Making them feel they have more room to grow. Yes I do have to be careful when transporting the boxes. That is one reason I don't like using old foundationless comb. They normally load it up with the honey they brought with them making that comb heavy. Then if you are not careful that can sometimes fail. If I move the early enough the new comb isn't as loaded down. If I wait too long to move them it can be an issue.
Hi there. Here in Scotland 🏴 I also add x3 Empty Frames. And maybe a Dribble of Wax under the Top Rail. And I also tension Wire the Frames up to. That's my way of Belts and Braces (US : Suspenders!) Any movement in Transit, or I want to Extract the Comb : its all stable and not likely to dislodge ! Simples. 👍 Here we have a Saying : A Swarm in May is worth some Hay ! A Swarm in June is worth a Silver Spoon ! A Swarm in July is only worth Fly ! I've used Bait Hives to great effect also using ex 'Maj Juice. (Dead Queens in Rubbing Alcohol.) And some really icky Melted Wax* with Propolis. The Darker it is : the more luring it becomes. And a Swarm found me ! Landed on the Clothes Line, then moved about x5 feet down the Pole and into a 'Deadout' Hive adjacent to the Laundry. Amazing site seeing a 'Swarm' doing its crazy Zig Zag Flying before all Crawling into their 'new' Home. What's not to like about getting Free Bees ! 👍 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Happy Beekeeping 2024 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 When Rendering* down old Combs, Burr Comb Scrapeings* : Keep that icky Gunk* left at the Bottom of your melt 'Pots' for next Seasons 'Bait' Hive spread on Wax ! (Keep an old Plastic Food Tub with Lid eg Peanut / Chocolate Spread type ) Ping in the Microwave for x20 Secs (or leave in the warmth of the Sun) and 'spread that wax' so its freshly added to the Entrance etc : as the Bait Hive is being placed. A Win win 'Bee Lure'. 👍
I put out one swarm trap. About 4 days got a swarm in it. Then next day another swarm come and went on bottom of box. last night i removed the bottom swarm to another box.
Joey, how many swarms do you generally catch each year? I have dozens of the waxed cardboard nuc boxes; I bet those would work for swarm boxes. I would need to figure out how to hang them.
I usually try to stop around 12 -15 depending on how much extra equipment I have. Those cardboard boxes will draw swarms. Sometimes though the larger swarms may pass them by looking for a larger space. Having said that sometimes the smaller swarms are what we call (after swarms) meaning it may be a new queen. That always a plus. They do real good for shaking swarms.
I have gotten permission from a neighbor who has bee hives to catch any swarms from his hives. How close or far away should I put my traps from his hives?
In my opinion it doesn't really matter. You can put some close or far away if it is more convenient for you. Some folks say swarms like to move far away from their home. I have seen them fly out of a hive, land in a tree near by and then leave the tree and go in a hive in the yard. Another thing I am a firm believer in is that bee yards draw swarms.
I'v been using the cleat system for a few years now and no problems. I guess if a big enough storm hit it just right it could take one down. When I first started using them I planned to strap them on but got lazy. lol
@@cinepost If you don't want to build boxes like these you can use what equipment you have. You can set up a hive and bait them with a lure of your choice. I old brood comb would really help a lot. Just don't put all frames in with plastic foundation, only a couple. It's better to have most of the frames empty so the bees will see they have plenty of room. Oh and use solid bottoms, not screen bottoms. They like total darkness.
I never could figure out why people put there traps 20 ft up in a tree , I have had swarms go into empty hive bodies sitting on the ground and swarms going into empty hives at waist level , to me a waste of time sticking them up so high , but hey each to their own , when scout bees find that suitable hive trap box regardless to where it is they will move in if it’s got enough room for them , works for me.
I have to agree. I have had them go in spare boxes I had setting on hive rails, and even had them move into boxes setting on my trailer. I have also gotten a couple calls to remove them from phone boxes that are buried in the ground. Thanks for watching.
Use boxes large enough to attract the larger swarms. Set them up at the edges of tree lines in areas where you see or know bees are active. Sometimes even a lone tree in a field is a good place. They sometimes use those trees as markers during flight.
What prevents the bees from drawing out comb down from the bottom bar of the frame with all the extra space in the bottom of the trap?
Nothing really except for relocating them as soon as possible. Check this video to see what to do if that happens. th-cam.com/video/CHbPNhh9Er8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=eupP7LZhqN4RMbew
You sold me on hanging my boxes on french cleats and staying off ladders. Good luck this season and thx for sharing your video.
Thanks for watching. Yeah I like keeping both feet on the ground these days. lol
I love the simplicity of your design and your idea of not having to mount them 1000' in the air.
Thank you. I am a big fan of easy. lol
Fantastic setup! Best of luck this season from a swarm catcher in Grand Rapids Michigan
Thank you and good luck.
I’m from GR too! Just made & hungry my first couple swarm traps. Got some old comb frames from a friend in Detroit. Hoping for the best 🤞🏻
@@notvadersson
Awesome. My first catch last year was memorial weekend in Grand Rapids
I have a video for it and other Michigan content
Best of luck. Let me know if you need any help
Love that idea of the cleat.
Thank you. They work great for me.
Great video Joey
Thank you.
I like the French Cleat system, it works on either side. Thanks.
I borrowed the cleat idea from another beekeeper. I just made a few modifications. Thanks for watching.
Great show Joey! I gotta get a few hung up too! Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for watching.
LW from Fl. Today its raining and also tomorrow, which will give me a chance to finish my 10 swarm traps. I like the way you hang them with cleat system. I have been making them with the board with the hole to hang them. Be yet I still have to secure them more with straps and rope. I'm going to take 5 of them and put your type of hanging system on them. It looks to be a more secure system. Good Luck , Stay Safe.
I think you will like the cleat style hanger. What I forgot to mention, I make a small block for the bottom side of the tree the make the box level if needed. You can see them on some of the boxes. Thanks for watching.
@@josephrawls I under stand the reason and purpose of the small block to help line up with the cleat. To keep the box level . Thanks LW
Joey, I hope the Lord blesses you with as many swarms as you need!
Thank you so much.
I’m motivated to get mine out. Like your set up. Good idea on the cleats. Thanks Joey.
I figured if I waited any longer I would be too busy to get them out. Thanks for watching.
Very Nice Joseph
Thank you.
Hi Joey
I built 4 more boxes just like yours a couple of weeks ago since I had such good luck last year with this model. Half the fun is building them and getting sawdust in your hair. I’ve been waiting for your signal to hang them. Will get busy this weekend in Baldwin County, AL.
Tommy Burt
Yes get them ready. Swarm season will be here shortly.
Look out behind you Joey. It's a trap!
I know, that was cheesy.
🤣🤣
After this weekend cold spell I'm hanging mine up. I think it will be another early swarm season here. Hope you have great luck.
I feel like you are right about early swarms. Thanks
Joey, I got my boxes ready. Great video.
Thank you.
As I sit by the woodstove with my coffee and fleece lined jeans on, I see you working in a t-shirt and think, it's still mid winter here.🤗Stay warm, happy and healthy, peace, Brice
After a few days of nice warm weather here the temp dropped and not even 40 feels cold.
We’re freezing today Brice🥶🥶. It’s 34F for a few hours…😂😂
@@josephrawls it doesn't take long for me to soften up when the weather is comfortable for a spell
@@josephrawls ❤️
@@MikeBarryBees some crazy weather around the country for sure. May hit 30° today, breezy partly cloudy, good snow day!
Like a good neighbour would say, go for it
Im gona do my best. Thanks.
mug up from NH, good morning, Joey. It's 14 degrees and the wind is calm here at the farm. My fire is going, and my coffee is hot, show me some bees, please! Up here, swarm season is not until late May, early June, but as the Rooster said, one time, you probably won't be sorry you put you swarm traps up early, but you will be sorry if you put them up late. Thanks for sharing
Hey Brice, thanks for watching. Getting in the bees soon.
Awesome video brother!!
Thank you.
Joeys gettin busy for the bees.🥳
Yes sir. Almost that time.
Great video, thanks hopefully you fill them all with bees!
That would be nice. Thank you.
Mike Barry recommended checking your site out if anyone was interested in catching swarms. I don't have bees anymore, but I still like to keep up with what's going on. This vid was impressive. I'm betting I will find a vid of your successes. That's the fun part.
Hey I was with Mike today. Thanks for checking in. I hope you enjoy the channel.
Great Video Thanks Joseph!
Thank you.
The swarm master!! You and Jeff Duet, managing 20 head of swarm traps😂😂. Great demo Joey!!
“Swarm master” that’s funny.😂 Thanks.😊
Looking good Joey, one more month before it's swarm trap time
Thank you. Glad you dropped in.
Interesting video. I assume the reason for the three frames without foundation is to give them more space. Have you had problems transporting them if they draw out a lot of comb in them? This is making me antsy to get out with my bees but it is 25F here near KC, MO. I look forward to seeing you in Louisville next January.
Yes, that is what I am after. Making them feel they have more room to grow. Yes I do have to be careful when transporting the boxes. That is one reason I don't like using old foundationless comb. They normally load it up with the honey they brought with them making that comb heavy. Then if you are not careful that can sometimes fail. If I move the early enough the new comb isn't as loaded down. If I wait too long to move them it can be an issue.
Hi there.
Here in Scotland 🏴 I also add x3 Empty Frames. And maybe a Dribble of Wax under the Top Rail. And I also tension Wire the Frames up to.
That's my way of Belts and Braces (US : Suspenders!)
Any movement in Transit, or I want to Extract the Comb : its all stable and not likely to dislodge ! Simples. 👍
Here we have a Saying :
A Swarm in May is worth some Hay !
A Swarm in June is worth a Silver Spoon !
A Swarm in July is only worth Fly !
I've used Bait Hives to great effect also using ex 'Maj Juice.
(Dead Queens in Rubbing Alcohol.) And some really icky Melted Wax* with Propolis. The Darker it is : the more luring it becomes.
And a Swarm found me ! Landed on the Clothes Line, then moved about x5 feet down the Pole and into a 'Deadout' Hive adjacent to the Laundry.
Amazing site seeing a 'Swarm' doing its crazy Zig Zag Flying before all Crawling into their 'new' Home.
What's not to like about getting Free Bees ! 👍
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
Happy Beekeeping 2024
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
When Rendering* down old Combs, Burr Comb Scrapeings* : Keep that icky Gunk* left at the Bottom of your melt 'Pots' for next Seasons 'Bait' Hive spread on Wax ! (Keep an old Plastic Food Tub with Lid eg Peanut / Chocolate Spread type ) Ping in the Microwave for x20 Secs (or leave in the warmth of the Sun) and 'spread that wax' so its freshly added to the Entrance etc : as the Bait Hive is being placed. A Win win 'Bee Lure'. 👍
Mike Berry suggested stopping by
Thanks for dropping in.
I should stake out some traps myself... have too many new beekeepers around and nearby.
I think you should too. That just increases your chances.
I put out one swarm trap. About 4 days got a swarm in it. Then next day another swarm come and went on bottom of box. last night i removed the bottom swarm to another box.
That would have made a great video. Thanks for watching.
Get er done! Looking forward to a new season. Lord willing each of them will be packed out in a few weeks.
Take care Joey and God bless.
It will be here shortly. Thanks for watching.
@@josephrawls yessir we enjoy watch!
Отличная идея! Попробую следующей весной. Подписался😊
Thank you. Good luck with it
Thanks Joey!!!
Thanks for watching.
Joey, how many swarms do you generally catch each year? I have dozens of the waxed cardboard nuc boxes; I bet those would work for swarm boxes. I would need to figure out how to hang them.
I usually try to stop around 12 -15 depending on how much extra equipment I have. Those cardboard boxes will draw swarms. Sometimes though the larger swarms may pass them by looking for a larger space. Having said that sometimes the smaller swarms are what we call (after swarms) meaning it may be a new queen. That always a plus. They do real good for shaking swarms.
Good luck! 🍀
Thank you.
I have gotten permission from a neighbor who has bee hives to catch any swarms from his hives. How close or far away should I put my traps from his hives?
In my opinion it doesn't really matter. You can put some close or far away if it is more convenient for you. Some folks say swarms like to move far away from their home. I have seen them fly out of a hive, land in a tree near by and then leave the tree and go in a hive in the yard. Another thing I am a firm believer in is that bee yards draw swarms.
Nice job Joey. I hope you catch a bunch of swarms.
Thank you.
Bravo za video ❤️🍯👍
Thank you.
Well, now you are fishing! Do you have some in reserve to replace these or do you just get them hived and back up.
Well I normally keep two for replacements but now I usually have two in the same area.
No concerns with wind blowing the box off the cleat?
I'v been using the cleat system for a few years now and no problems. I guess if a big enough storm hit it just right it could take one down. When I first started using them I planned to strap them on but got lazy. lol
Is it too late to set some traps near Charleston, SC?
Sorry, I replied but don't see my answer today. Anyway. I wouldn't think it is too late. If you start now you would probably be right on time.
@@josephrawls do I need anything special for a swarm box? What do you prefer
@@cinepost If you don't want to build boxes like these you can use what equipment you have. You can set up a hive and bait them with a lure of your choice. I old brood comb would really help a lot. Just don't put all frames in with plastic foundation, only a couple. It's better to have most of the frames empty so the bees will see they have plenty of room. Oh and use solid bottoms, not screen bottoms. They like total darkness.
@@josephrawls have not got any brood comb…
how many you normally catch?
I usually try to stop around 12 -15 depending on how much extra equipment I have.
grande 🥰
Thank you.
Do you put just those 5 frames in?
Yes, but it is best to mover the bees out the third or fourth day after they move in.
Do you face them a certain direction? Thanks for the video
Not really. It just depends on the tree line and the tree I put it on.
Okay great thanks for the reply, good to know orientation doesn't matter.
I never could figure out why people put there traps 20 ft up in a tree , I have had swarms go into empty hive bodies sitting on the ground and swarms going into empty hives at waist level , to me a waste of time sticking them up so high , but hey each to their own , when scout bees find that suitable hive trap box regardless to where it is they will move in if it’s got enough room for them , works for me.
I have to agree. I have had them go in spare boxes I had setting on hive rails, and even had them move into boxes setting on my trailer. I have also gotten a couple calls to remove them from phone boxes that are buried in the ground. Thanks for watching.
There was scientific study on size, color, shape and Elevation. Feral bees like 12 feet up. His reach is eighth ish so in the margin. FYI.
Yay….. Swarm trap time!!!
Yes. Thanks for watching.
It looks like, by the shadows that you hang predominantly east to west.
It's really all happenstance mostly. 1, 2, 8 and 9 or south, the rest are east or west.
Show me the way.....I've set swarm traps for the past 3 years and haven't caught a single one.....guess I need to change locations
Use boxes large enough to attract the larger swarms. Set them up at the edges of tree lines in areas where you see or know bees are active. Sometimes even a lone tree in a field is a good place. They sometimes use those trees as markers during flight.
I need to do this in the Philippines
Give it a try. Thanks for watching.