Here is a picture of one of the swarm traps we use locally. Let the swarm have it for a full week. Let them set comb, eggs, and start raising brood. Anything that doesn't have frames in it. Can just become a cutout.

That's a good idea. What size tote is that.

I might just give that a try. Let me know how it does.

It does great. It's a proven design I copied from someone else.

Do you just put a captured swarm in the box or do you use it in some way to catch stray swarms?

Put the tote trap In a tree. When the bees move in. Give them a week to hatch brood. Then move the whole trap to your bee yard. in the evening when every bee is home. Transfer frames to a hive before all the frames are full.

Why not just use a 5 frame nuc for your frames? Then when you move them put them where you wish give them a day to reorient then place the frames in a regular deep any time of the day you want.

Al

I don't know @homeshow reason for not useing a five frame nuc. But I made five 5 frame nuc boxes for swarm traps and then I was told that a swarm looks for something bigger than nuc boxes to move into.

Do A internet search and you will see some small swarm traps sold by bee suppliers.
They just charge half a arm and a leg.

Also use the proper lure scent, like lemon grass.

read this
http://horizontalhive.com/hone...

Al

Honey bees like a minimum sized hole. The 10 frame deep or tote are big enough to get a lot of use from experienced swarm catchers.

I was able to get a swarm in downtown Gatlinburg and someone put it on Facebook.





https://m.facebook.com/story.p...

@mindy03 where have you been. And how are your bees doing.

Hi Heath I've been busy dealing with various life issues such as losing a friend and researching some plants.
Our bees are thriving in spite of the heat. My husband just pulled the honey supers off these past two weeks not sure how much we will end up with total as he's not processed it all yet.
He let the outlying fields on the farm grow wild and they really worked the wildflowers. We've noticed that when he keeps all of the fields cleared during the early summer they don't do as well so this year he waited. They are still working where he hasn't mowed the fields and some of my herbs are flowering that they are working
congratulations on the swarm catch. Hope they are doing well

Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope everything is ok. Glad to hear your bees are doing good. I did the same thing and let one of my fields grow out and the bees are still working it.