Hey JC and Beeks. Last June (2022) I had a huge Swarm come IN from the area near me. Nearest Beek to me is nearly x4 Miles away, as its Rural Scottish 🏴 Countryside. No my Bees didn't Swarm ! This was a Huge incoming x50K Bee Swarm Flying in, (landed on my Washing Line.) And then just Flew, Walked right into an Empty/Spare Langstroth Hive x3 Box Stack (A Deadout from Winter '21.) Decided to add a few drops of Lemon Grass Oil (Natural Essential Oil is a Swarm "Lure.") Never thought Yep ? Worth a try, nothing lost having a go. 🤞 Because that Hive had lots of good old Dark Wax and Propolis from Brood Frames, this must of caught the 👀 attention of the Scout Bees. I stood in my Garden watching Bees coming in from all directions, WoW !👍 This was my 1st Ever Swarm Catch !!! Looking back, about x6 Days before, I had about x40 Bees Zipping in and around the Entrance. I assumed it was 'my Bees 'helping themselves' to that ex Hives Honey etc. Now, I know : it was "Scouting Bees" Scouting out my empty Hive ! 😉 It was only x1ft off the Ground (on a Hive Stand) so no Ladder, or lofty (scary) Heights were needed to have a "Bait Hive." Nice ! 🤗 As it was the Queens Jubilee UK Celebration (Weekend) I decided to call that Colony "Jubilee." It became an amazing Hive, and offered up a couple of Nuc too. 😉
This channel is always be a beekeeping channel, I may share other topics every once in awhile but I try to always find ways to relate it to bees or beekeeping if possible. For instance, the 3D printing I've been sharing little bits on offers many things I can print to use in my beekeeping practices. One thing's I've seen a lot of is printable entrances and queen cages. Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thought. Take care!!
I just enjoy the challenge of capturing swarms in boxes I have built. Especially in new locations I've never tried before. I use the 5-frame extra deep version and have had great success. I usually catch more swarms than I really need but sometimes can share with friends.
Bees will form a cluster on a tree at about 25 yards yes. However they rarely move into swarm trap closer than 200 yards or over 1000 yards. The optimal distance from the parent hive is actually around 400 yards. I have read a bunch of studies on this.
This is all great info. I'm not a swarm catcher, have only ever caught 3. Have seen 2 in flight and WOW what an experience standing in them. Probably will end up putting out 2 traps this year to catch any of my own and that's it. Trying to keep my numbers down, believe that. And, I know your printer is running while you're reading this comment. LOL
Maybe, maybe not! lol All I want to do is drink coffee, create stuff and sleep, what's wrong with that? lol Glad you enjoyed the video, Brian. I am excited to watch you preform magic this season (keeping your #'s low), that is be fun to watch. I figured you were aiming for 25 this season. lol
@@JCsBees I'm definitely going to have to make some strategic moves to stay at the numbers I want. If I had enough time in a week, 25 would be great, but I would end up neglecting them and be at the number my time allows. And I'm going to try and print a Varroa tonight, we'll see how it comes out. LOL
Good information. I'm in Southern Ohio and just getting started in beekeeping. I built some swarm traps as well as ordering bees. Your videos are very helpful. Keep um coming
My swarm traps are a 5 frame nuk with a 6 in bottom board for a total depth 15 inches. When I catch a swarm remove the nuk, and place a new nuk on the bottom board. Love you're video's
Great information Jason! We have never bought bees. We have caught all of our bees and split them year after year. In our first 2 years of getting bak into beekeeping we caught 8 swarms.
I have never had problem with my bee's swarm because I always make split before they are to big. And because I have my own area where no other beekeepers are close by I don't find it necessary to hang up swarm traps. Maybe I do it if I move a couple of hives to where the clubhouse is where almost every member have 2 hives. There I could hang up a small swarm trap in case someone in the club don't check their bee's often enough when it's swarm season here. Some have lost a few bee's every spring but I don't know when the new clubhouse area is ready for us to move back too yet. But I will have your tips in mind in case I will hang up a swarm trap. Have built 3 already with space for 5 frames with an opening that can be closed. Thanks again for great videos buddy. 👍👍
Great advice Jason! It is almost that time of the Year for swarming to take place, So Great advice and it is good to be prepared for the swarms! Great Stuff Jason! Take Care!
Thomas seeley from Cornell University has done extensive research and has a lot of info on swarms. I highly recommend looking at his research to get more info. Personally, in northern Ohio I caught my first swarm in first week of April last year. It varies so much. I do recommend that you place atheist one swarm trap close to your current apairy. They are easy to make and even easier to buy if you lack the skills to build one.
I find an eight frame double deep with old brood comb works great. I've had swarms move in the same day I set them up. I place them on my porch which is about 12' higher than my apiary and within 25 yards.... this method works as well as any others I have tried including traps in trees 100+/- yards away... I find that bees don't always follow our rules.
Sounds like you have experimented some with trapping. It's fun when your getting swarms, not so much when your not. lol It's always a good idea to have a couple traps set at the bee yard.
70%is the norm for me I. Town area pays to know what native plants bees like as well if o e does see a plant in flower with100 plus on it pays to set a trap near it all that info goes back to hive good chances are could be 10 hives that gets info of new home same goes for own back yard plant a tree or flowers like sunflowers 20 or so set a trap that easy. Cheers for video top stuff.
Great video Jason. Over the fall and winter I've worked to tripple my swarm trap count. Here in SE Texas it's abt to get started. I always roll melted brood comb wax (cocoons and all) inside the box and dissolve propolis in alcohol and paint that in there as well. I need to try the mashed up queens too. Have a great week Jason
I really like how your apiary looks, I don't think you should move it. I'll bet the bees like the shade the trees give them in the heat of the Summer. Maybe just prune them back a little if you feel it's to much shade, plus a lot less work to trim a few branches back then move all your colonies. Have a wonderful day JC.
Thanks. I like it too. I am going to do some trimming this spring and see what that does. I also plan to start another bee yard on our leased farm. Then if I need to I can move some hives there. Time will tell. Take care!!
My favorite thing is swarm trapping. Caught 20 first year second year about the same catch so many i give swarms away to people who want to get started with bees. I get tired of catching swarms and pull up my boxes. Caught them from a couple feet to 20 foot high and seems not to really matter on size of box.❤️🐝👍
You can also extend the Lemongrass Oil by putting it on a q-tip or cotton ball then wrap it in plastic wrap. If using q-tips I cut it in half and cut the "tips" open. My 1 and 1/2 cents.
I had a bad year, 100% loss through winter. I’m gonna try to put out as many traps as possible in different areas this year to hopefully build some stock back up.
Did you not treat for mites? Or maybe not treat in time to lower the mite population before winter? Best of luck with the swarms and sorry to hear about your losses.
I've captured a few swarms when I was younger and more athletic but am unsure how well capturing a swarm on my own land would work. I only have 25 acres and am aware of the rule of relocating: move them an inch or a mile but not in between. But what about a fresh swarm? They don't have a home and if I move them to my yard right away, what do you think? Maybe confine the queen for a few days?
Hdey Jason. Great video and tips. Quick question; do you gave to put the swarm traps in a tree or could you just put them on. cinder blocks 20 inches or so off the ground?
Jc....what are the chances of baiting a empty hive to get them into it. Don't see many vids on it. Got one hive in remote location and baited it. I'm new, Due to busted arm figured I'd at least put my warre hive out. Hoping.
Hello Annie, I don't know the percentage but you do have a chance. To improve the chance you need to know you have honeybee in the area. Have you tried setting out a feeder to see if you have bees around?
I would wait. Here's the main reason. Honey comb is very brittle when it's cold, it will scatter into millions of piece just by bumping it the wrong way. Besides that it would be way easier on the bees if they could forage to gain resources to rebuild after the move. Do early spring once they start to forage and they weather is above 50°F..
You want to see if you have bees in your area quick? My old uncle who was a bee hunter taught me something that really works.H would take a can and burn it to clean it out.He would take it out to an area and put some beeswax and a little honey in it.Not much but just a little.Heat it with a torch and let it smoke some to get the scent into the air.Man it will draw bees flying around rather quickly.Like in minutes!!! The smoke and smell goes into the air and disperses and they come looking.
Using old comb, wouldn't that be a wax moth magnet? I'm on 1.5 acre small wooded lot with 1-3 backyard hives. Is that large enough to catch other swarm? Or make make my own splits? I wouldn't be sad if I caught my own swarm, but genetic diversity helps.
Yes for sure wax moths are an issue. But really all swarm traps are also traps for other pest. I can't tell you how many mice I've caught with swarm traps and they always destroy the frames I stick in the trap. I learned real fast to staple rabbit wire over all entrance to keep the mice out. Wax moth will be a lot harder to control. That said, usually the population of moths is low in the spring when bees are swarming. Mid to late summer they become a problem. I can't say for sure rather you have a chance at getting swarms but it doesn't hurt to set a trap or two just to see what happens. As far as splits, you have plenty of room to grow. Good luck!!
you say a swarm do not fly more then 100 yards from the main home, i found swarms in my traps more then 2 miles from any apiary the only home that thy could have closer than 2 miles is a fox den, prime swams dont fly to far not more than a mile from my experience but what is after that with a virgin flies for a long distance,last year i had 15 swarms in my traps, wait to see you this year😉
JC's queen rearing series is better than queen rearing classes that I have paid for.
I appreciate that. Thanks for the kind words!
Hey JC and Beeks.
Last June (2022) I had a huge Swarm come IN from the area near me. Nearest Beek to me is nearly x4 Miles away, as its Rural Scottish 🏴 Countryside. No my Bees didn't Swarm ! This was a Huge incoming x50K Bee Swarm Flying in, (landed on my Washing Line.)
And then just Flew, Walked right into an Empty/Spare Langstroth Hive x3 Box Stack (A Deadout from Winter '21.)
Decided to add a few drops of Lemon Grass Oil (Natural Essential Oil is a Swarm "Lure.") Never thought Yep ?
Worth a try, nothing lost having a go. 🤞
Because that Hive had lots of good old Dark Wax and Propolis from Brood Frames, this must of caught the 👀 attention of the Scout Bees.
I stood in my Garden watching Bees coming in from all directions, WoW !👍
This was my 1st Ever Swarm Catch !!!
Looking back, about x6 Days before, I had about x40 Bees Zipping in and around the Entrance. I assumed it was 'my Bees 'helping themselves' to that ex Hives Honey etc.
Now, I know : it was "Scouting Bees" Scouting out my empty Hive ! 😉 It was only x1ft off the Ground (on a Hive Stand) so no Ladder, or lofty (scary) Heights were needed to have a "Bait Hive." Nice ! 🤗
As it was the Queens Jubilee UK Celebration (Weekend)
I decided to call that Colony "Jubilee." It became an amazing Hive, and offered up a couple of Nuc too. 😉
Scout Bees. They are the ones with little neckerchiefs and a sash full of patches. Their motto is Bee Prepared. ;) Loved your video!
I’m glad you’re staying with bee keeping. That’s why I like your videos, bees are what it’s all about. Some people get off subject too much.
This channel is always be a beekeeping channel, I may share other topics every once in awhile but I try to always find ways to relate it to bees or beekeeping if possible. For instance, the 3D printing I've been sharing little bits on offers many things I can print to use in my beekeeping practices. One thing's I've seen a lot of is printable entrances and queen cages.
Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thought. Take care!!
@@JCsBees I’ll bet it’s cold up there. I ran a foundry in Waterville back in the 90’s and I remember all the snow up there.
Catching swarms is still fun ,it is the thrill of the hunt
I agree! Any swarm captured is a win.
I just enjoy the challenge of capturing swarms in boxes I have built. Especially in new locations I've never tried before. I use the 5-frame extra deep version and have had great success. I usually catch more swarms than I really need but sometimes can share with friends.
Bees will form a cluster on a tree at about 25 yards yes. However they rarely move into swarm trap closer than 200 yards or over 1000 yards. The optimal distance from the parent hive is actually around 400 yards. I have read a bunch of studies on this.
This is all great info. I'm not a swarm catcher, have only ever caught 3. Have seen 2 in flight and WOW what an experience standing in them. Probably will end up putting out 2 traps this year to catch any of my own and that's it. Trying to keep my numbers down, believe that. And, I know your printer is running while you're reading this comment. LOL
Maybe, maybe not! lol All I want to do is drink coffee, create stuff and sleep, what's wrong with that? lol Glad you enjoyed the video, Brian. I am excited to watch you preform magic this season (keeping your #'s low), that is be fun to watch. I figured you were aiming for 25 this season. lol
@@JCsBees I'm definitely going to have to make some strategic moves to stay at the numbers I want. If I had enough time in a week, 25 would be great, but I would end up neglecting them and be at the number my time allows. And I'm going to try and print a Varroa tonight, we'll see how it comes out. LOL
Seeing bees swarm like that is just amazing to witness. Thanks for sharing this.
I agree. Thanks for stopping by.
I've always used homemade 3 or 5 frame nuc boxes. Usually catch more than I want and pass them on to friends.
Great advice. Once you master swarm catching, you'll never need to buy bees.
Good information. I'm in Southern Ohio and just getting started in beekeeping. I built some swarm traps as well as ordering bees. Your videos are very helpful. Keep um coming
Love catching other peoples bees. 😀😀😀 saves me big time $$$.
My swarm traps are a 5 frame nuk with a 6 in bottom board for a total depth 15 inches. When I catch a swarm remove the nuk, and place a new nuk on the bottom board. Love you're video's
Nice. I love the idea of the extra space under the frames. Glad you enjoy the videos. Take care!!
Hey man we’re are you? Didn’t hear from you for months… glad you are still kicking
Hey bud, I've been releasing videos, how did you miss them?
Great information Jason! We have never bought bees. We have caught all of our bees and split them year after year. In our first 2 years of getting bak into beekeeping we caught 8 swarms.
Another factor to spring swarming is likely related to there being mature drones around to mate with those new virgin queens.
Very point point.
I have never had problem with my bee's swarm because I always make split before they are to big. And because I have my own area where no other beekeepers are close by I don't find it necessary to hang up swarm traps. Maybe I do it if I move a couple of hives to where the clubhouse is where almost every member have 2 hives. There I could hang up a small swarm trap in case someone in the club don't check their bee's often enough when it's swarm season here. Some have lost a few bee's every spring but I don't know when the new clubhouse area is ready for us to move back too yet. But I will have your tips in mind in case I will hang up a swarm trap. Have built 3 already with space for 5 frames with an opening that can be closed. Thanks again for great videos buddy. 👍👍
Great advice Jason! It is almost that time of the Year for swarming to take place, So Great advice and it is good to be prepared for the swarms! Great Stuff Jason! Take Care!
Awesome video Jason! It's almost that time. Swarms are so amazing. Your videos have helped me catch several. Thank you my friend!
Great informative easy to listen and learn. Thank you for your sharing knowledge!
Thomas seeley from Cornell University has done extensive research and has a lot of info on swarms. I highly recommend looking at his research to get more info. Personally, in northern Ohio I caught my first swarm in first week of April last year. It varies so much. I do recommend that you place atheist one swarm trap close to your current apairy. They are easy to make and even easier to buy if you lack the skills to build one.
I find an eight frame double deep with old brood comb works great. I've had swarms move in the same day I set them up. I place them on my porch which is about 12' higher than my apiary and within 25 yards.... this method works as well as any others I have tried including traps in trees 100+/- yards away... I find that bees don't always follow our rules.
Sounds like you have experimented some with trapping. It's fun when your getting swarms, not so much when your not. lol It's always a good idea to have a couple traps set at the bee yard.
70%is the norm for me I. Town area pays to know what native plants bees like as well if o e does see a plant in flower with100 plus on it pays to set a trap near it all that info goes back to hive good chances are could be 10 hives that gets info of new home same goes for own back yard plant a tree or flowers like sunflowers 20 or so set a trap that easy. Cheers for video top stuff.
Great video Jason. Over the fall and winter I've worked to tripple my swarm trap count. Here in SE Texas it's abt to get started. I always roll melted brood comb wax (cocoons and all) inside the box and dissolve propolis in alcohol and paint that in there as well. I need to try the mashed up queens too. Have a great week Jason
I really like how your apiary looks, I don't think you should move it. I'll bet the bees like the shade the trees give them in the heat of the Summer. Maybe just prune them back a little if you feel it's to much shade, plus a lot less work to trim a few branches back then move all your colonies. Have a wonderful day JC.
Thanks. I like it too. I am going to do some trimming this spring and see what that does. I also plan to start another bee yard on our leased farm. Then if I need to I can move some hives there. Time will tell.
Take care!!
Thanks for info. Going to concentrate on swarm catching this season
Good info. I appreciate the time you have put in your video presentation(s). Thanks.
Thanks you. It's like a homework assignment each week. lol Wonder why I wasn't good at it in school. lol
Excellent video Jason! I've tried but not caught a swarm yet, but maybe this year.
Great tip on the feeders!
They can save a lot of time and heartache. Why setup a trap if there isn't any bees in the area to be catch? lol
My favorite thing is swarm trapping. Caught 20 first year second year about the same catch so many i give swarms away to people who want to get started with bees. I get tired of catching swarms and pull up my boxes. Caught them from a couple feet to 20 foot high and seems not to really matter on size of box.❤️🐝👍
Very informative. Thanks Jason. Take care.
Thank ya kindly, Tim
Take care!!
Thanks for the video and information. Maybe I'll catch more swarms this year. 🙂
Super video, your book is going to be fabulous. So much great information.
Thanks, Karen. Just got another chapter back from the editor. :)
Would a pollen sub right now be an accurate indicator of where to locate bees for spring?
I think any food source would work but the temps are going to have to be warm enough for bees to forage.
Your Queen videos are excellent.
Swarm Trapping is a numbers game. The more traps you use the better your odds of catching a swarm.
Thanks Jason!
What are your thoughts on using 5 gallon buckets for swarm traps?
You can also extend the Lemongrass Oil by putting it on a q-tip or cotton ball then wrap it in plastic wrap. If using q-tips I cut it in half and cut the "tips" open. My 1 and 1/2 cents.
Nice info brother. Thanks as always
I had a bad year, 100% loss through winter. I’m gonna try to put out as many traps as possible in different areas this year to hopefully build some stock back up.
Did you not treat for mites? Or maybe not treat in time to lower the mite population before winter? Best of luck with the swarms and sorry to hear about your losses.
Bees swarming is one way they fight mites in nature. It also keeps bee from being over populated and taxing resources in an area.
I've captured a few swarms when I was younger and more athletic but am unsure how well capturing a swarm on my own land would work. I only have 25 acres and am aware of the rule of relocating: move them an inch or a mile but not in between. But what about a fresh swarm? They don't have a home and if I move them to my yard right away, what do you think? Maybe confine the queen for a few days?
Hdey Jason. Great video and tips. Quick question; do you gave to put the swarm traps in a tree or could you just put them on. cinder blocks 20 inches or so off the ground?
You can put them anywhere. I do find a couple feet off the ground to help the scents travel. Good luck!!
Nice shot of the eggs. Only healthy colonies swarm? T / F .
Jc....what are the chances of baiting a empty hive to get them into it. Don't see many vids on it. Got one hive in remote location and baited it. I'm new, Due to busted arm figured I'd at least put my warre hive out. Hoping.
Hello Annie, I don't know the percentage but you do have a chance. To improve the chance you need to know you have honeybee in the area. Have you tried setting out a feeder to see if you have bees around?
I have a question I have to move a hive in my camp wall can I move them in winter.?
I would wait. Here's the main reason. Honey comb is very brittle when it's cold, it will scatter into millions of piece just by bumping it the wrong way. Besides that it would be way easier on the bees if they could forage to gain resources to rebuild after the move. Do early spring once they start to forage and they weather is above 50°F..
Some people use a canvas inner cover, is that a special type of canvas?
Not sure, I would guess at the least it's water resistant.
I use my deer stands all most always. 5 frame box with a slide door. Lower them with a rope. Ratchet strap tight , or top and bottom screwed down.
I can carry them up on my shoulder. Damn near 70. But I stay pretty active v
Most of my swarms. Start Mother’s Day weekend. 46808.
I enjoy all your videos !!!!
Have used five frame traps , that are a few inches taller. Normally work good. But have had to double them up before. Just to many bees for the box.
Great information, thanks.
Good stuff! Thanks!
You want to see if you have bees in your area quick? My old uncle who was a bee hunter taught me something that really works.H would take a can and burn it to clean it out.He would take it out to an area and put some beeswax and a little honey in it.Not much but just a little.Heat it with a torch and let it smoke some to get the scent into the air.Man it will draw bees flying around rather quickly.Like in minutes!!! The smoke and smell goes into the air and disperses and they come looking.
Using old comb, wouldn't that be a wax moth magnet?
I'm on 1.5 acre small wooded lot with 1-3 backyard hives. Is that large enough to catch other swarm? Or make make my own splits? I wouldn't be sad if I caught my own swarm, but genetic diversity helps.
Yes for sure wax moths are an issue. But really all swarm traps are also traps for other pest. I can't tell you how many mice I've caught with swarm traps and they always destroy the frames I stick in the trap. I learned real fast to staple rabbit wire over all entrance to keep the mice out. Wax moth will be a lot harder to control. That said, usually the population of moths is low in the spring when bees are swarming. Mid to late summer they become a problem.
I can't say for sure rather you have a chance at getting swarms but it doesn't hurt to set a trap or two just to see what happens. As far as splits, you have plenty of room to grow. Good luck!!
👍🐝
you say a swarm do not fly more then 100 yards from the main home, i found swarms in my traps more then 2 miles from any apiary the only home that thy could have closer than 2 miles is a fox den, prime swams dont fly to far not more than a mile from my experience but what is after that with a virgin flies for a long distance,last year i had 15 swarms in my traps, wait to see you this year😉
I stopped buying bees once I realized how easy it was to trap them.
What if you are feeding someone else's bees and now they don't know their bees are bringing in sugar water instead of nectar.