I made the mistake of putting traps where it was convenient for me. Unfortunately, that's not where the bees were - or at least not where the swarming bees were. Research should have been a higher priority. Beelining should have been a higher priority. I was fortunate to find a couple of places that were relatively convenient for me, produced catches and taught me this lesson. I have to be honest, it was somewhat through effort but mostly by chance that this happened. There has to be a swarming colony in the area or you're not going to catch bees. Great video. Thanks again Rick.
You put in a ton of work and those catches are well deserved Fact and well stated “There has to be a swarming colony in the area or you're not going to catch bees” Keep in touch my Friend and update me on your colonies this summer #michiganfreebees
I have 4 traps out since the end of May. Activity in three and then nothing. Check the one trap that had a lot of activity and found that there had not been any comb building on the starter frames. With all the activity for several days I was surprised to not find something built. Frustrating.
They don’t build comb until they move in Scouting activity is just searching and evaluating new homes. Renovating doesn’t start until it is purchased (move in) Was your activity scouting? Or Did they move in and then leave? (Absconding) Scouting activity of any kind is great news and I wouldn’t change a thing Now if you had resource in the trap like honey in a bait comb that was robbing activity and not scouting Thank you for the comment and let me know if I can be of any help Stick with it. You sound like you are on right track
I've caught them in new wood but with comb .caught probly a once in a lifetime swarm this year in northeast ohio, was huge & early -April 27th.. I've caught them this year within 300ft of each other
My first year beekeeping after inheriting some hives i read up up swarm traps built 4 and have caught 9 swarms so far! I might of caught more if I didn’t have to leave them in the traps while i built hives to keep them in.
@@fishingforbees it’s probably dumb luck but they’re 42litres with 5 brood frames at the top 1 old comb a couple of new foundation and a couple with starter strips. Coated the inside with old wax and a couple of bits of brace comb in the bottom. Painted some old wax on the outside around the entrance. The one i’ve only caught one swarm in is the only one not on a south facing treeline, all are on oaks about 3.5m high ,front back and base are oak finished off with ply. I’ve been using a swarm lure inside and lemongrass oil on the outside and on the tree. I’m totally hooked ! More traps and more empty hives next year 👍🏻
Sounds like a good setup. Most of mine face south to open areas on tree lines. Remember to much lure can repel scouting. I go incredibly light with lure these days. It is used to attract the first scout. They will do the work notifying the rest if your trap is right Where are you located?
@@fishingforbees i have been dipping the ends of a Qtip? In the lure and putting it in a perforated ziplock bag in the trap and then a few drops of the lemongrass on and around the trap . Quickest i’ve snagged a swarm is 3 days so far and that’s my best spot right on the edge of a town opening up to fields and forest. I’m near the south coast of the u.k . If it wasn’t for guys like you posting swarm catching videos I wouldn’t of had a clue about catching bees! 🇬🇧🇺🇸
@Dan-wo4bx Congratulations 🎊🎉🎈 🐝 Thank you for the comment and wonderful feedback from the UK I get most from the US so this one is very special to me Keep it up!!
Still soldiering on heading up to Gladwin see if i have any in my 2 traps there
Very good. Fingers crossed 🤞
I made the mistake of putting traps where it was convenient for me. Unfortunately, that's not where the bees were - or at least not where the swarming bees were. Research should have been a higher priority. Beelining should have been a higher priority. I was fortunate to find a couple of places that were relatively convenient for me, produced catches and taught me this lesson. I have to be honest, it was somewhat through effort but mostly by chance that this happened. There has to be a swarming colony in the area or you're not going to catch bees. Great video. Thanks again Rick.
You put in a ton of work and those catches are well deserved
Fact and well stated
“There has to be a swarming colony in the area or you're not going to catch bees”
Keep in touch my Friend and update me on your colonies this summer
#michiganfreebees
I have 4 traps out since the end of May. Activity in three and then nothing. Check the one trap that had a lot of activity and found that there had not been any comb building on the starter frames. With all the activity for several days I was surprised to not find something built. Frustrating.
They don’t build comb until they move in
Scouting activity is just searching and evaluating new homes.
Renovating doesn’t start until it is purchased (move in)
Was your activity scouting?
Or
Did they move in and then leave? (Absconding)
Scouting activity of any kind is great news and I wouldn’t change a thing
Now if you had resource in the trap like honey in a bait comb that was robbing activity and not scouting
Thank you for the comment and let me know if I can be of any help
Stick with it. You sound like you are on right track
I've caught them in new wood but with comb .caught probly a once in a lifetime swarm this year in northeast ohio, was huge & early -April 27th.. I've caught them this year within 300ft of each other
Congratulations on an awesome year
For many it isn’t that easy so you are very blessed
My first year beekeeping after inheriting some hives i read up up swarm traps built 4 and have caught 9 swarms so far! I might of caught more if I didn’t have to leave them in the traps while i built hives to keep them in.
That is awesome
Thank you for commenting and sharing
@@fishingforbees it’s probably dumb luck but they’re 42litres with 5 brood frames at the top 1 old comb a couple of new foundation and a couple with starter strips. Coated the inside with old wax and a couple of bits of brace comb in the bottom. Painted some old wax on the outside around the entrance. The one i’ve only caught one swarm in is the only one not on a south facing treeline, all are on oaks about 3.5m high ,front back and base are oak finished off with ply. I’ve been using a swarm lure inside and lemongrass oil on the outside and on the tree. I’m totally hooked ! More traps and more empty hives next year 👍🏻
Sounds like a good setup. Most of mine face south to open areas on tree lines.
Remember to much lure can repel scouting. I go incredibly light with lure these days. It is used to attract the first scout. They will do the work notifying the rest if your trap is right
Where are you located?
@@fishingforbees i have been dipping the ends of a Qtip? In the lure and putting it in a perforated ziplock bag in the trap and then a few drops of the lemongrass on and around the trap . Quickest i’ve snagged a swarm is 3 days so far and that’s my best spot right on the edge of a town opening up to fields and forest. I’m near the south coast of the u.k . If it wasn’t for guys like you posting swarm catching videos I wouldn’t of had a clue about catching bees! 🇬🇧🇺🇸
@Dan-wo4bx
Congratulations 🎊🎉🎈 🐝
Thank you for the comment and wonderful feedback from the UK
I get most from the US so this one is very special to me
Keep it up!!