Bee Apiarist, Day Two(2) - Setting the Swarm Trap

-Written 5/17/2021
​       We setup our Swarm Trap as per the Instructions from Dr. Leo Sharashkins website.
https://horizontalhive.com/honeybee-swarm-trap/bait-hive-how-to-catch.shtml
(Purchase Full Hives by clicking this text)

​​       I setup a Trap At our Home, where it is visible from our Kitchen Window.
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I also built a Hive Stand per Dr. Leo Instructions and my wife, Amber. She Painted the Full Hive and Stand that we hope to transfer the Base to.

     After painting the Hive Box to Help Weather It, I add the Corner Flashing and Entrance Gates to the Hive.

​If we wanted to have the Final Hive somewhere else on our property, we would have to move the bees 3 or more miles away from the Trap Spot and let them live there for a week(They Forget about Trap Spot). After this week, I could then bring them back to my property and place them where I wanted.

 We often see dark bees on our property and hope to entice some Native Bees.  

    But One was not enough..... I had to have more Traps.
I am impatient and Dr. Leo once said that for "Every two Traps I Set, I would get a Swarm. So 50% Success Rate.' 

    Well, that to me says, "Put another Swarm Trap at my Parents Property."

Viola! My Parents Property is Now Set :) (I cleaned up the Ratchet Strap)

    So a Quick and Dirty run down of setting up a Trap.

   Bees are looking for a Cavity to Enter, So I put 3 Inch Starter Foundation Wax Strips into the Layens Frames for the Trap and Two Full Sheets at the two Ends of the Frames.

   Each of the Full Sheets had a Half Filled Lure Tube with the Lemongrass Essential Oil inside the tube, then I embedded it into the Wax of the Two Frames.
   
    We also rubbed propolis on the inside of the Trap Walls, giving a sort of coat to it.

   With the Traps Set the only thing left to do is prep the Full Hive Box and set it up with Foundation Frames, Bait Lures and some Propolis. 

             The game is set, now we watch the Weather and Wait for temps above 68 Degrees and No Precipitation, these are Ideal Conditions for Swarming in Late May and Early June, which is Prime Swarming Season in Ohio.

Update: 5/19/2021

Scout Bees have Been Spotted, investigating Swarm Trap last few days.
                                 ----------To Be Continued-----------

Author: Steven Mowery

"I have no affiliation with any producers of Honey or Bee Keeping Equipment, this is a personal Blog of my Experiences as a New Apiarist."