Swarm trap success

[Robo]

Here are a few pictures of swarms from this year

https://plus.google.com/photos/116822367552643196211/albums/5766497221043967201

[AllenF]

Looking good.   Great pics.

[JP]

Looks like a couple of really nice ones there Rob. Details? How large and what have they done for you this season?


...JP

[Javin]

Sweet!  I'd be interested in the details too.  What was inside the boxes?  (Frames?) Did you use any bait?  How long were the traps set before catching a swarm?

[Robo]

They have 5 frames in them (4 foundationless and 1 old comb) and a vial of homemade swarm lure.   Some of the larger looking ones where probably in the traps a month or so before I got to them.  (Note to self:  don't rely on the homeowner to notice activity until they are boiling over and ready to swarm)    They drew out all 4 foundationless frames AND built comb on the bottom of the frames (~ medium frame size).   Had one that was queenless and a laying work, but all the rest seem to be doing really well.  Have one with a queen that is missing a front leg,  but she is laying like crazy and they seem to be happy with her, at least for now.

All but one chose the larger 30L trap over a smaller 20L trap.   Also had a swarm move into the ceiling of an old chicken coop, rejecting the trap hanging on the coop ~10 feet from them.

[specialkayme]

So you usually hang a 30L trap and a 20L trap next to each other?

[Robo]

So you usually hang a 30L trap and a 20L trap next to each other?

Collecting some data this year.

[yockey5]

Pretty cool.