Free bees. What could be better than FREE bees? Now that we have your attention, here is how you can get your “free” bees. First, let’s clarify the only thing free are the bees. There is still the cost of the equipment and your time. But this way can save you money and is kind of fun. In this article, we will cover the use of bait hives or swarm traps to catch your ” free” bees.
What to Use to Catch Your Free Bees
A swarm trap or bait hive is simply a container that you hope a swarm of bees will move into in their search for a new “home.” There are a number of options that you can use. Some use typical Langstroth frames and there also are a variety of styles that do not use any frames. I personally prefer ones that use standard frames. I think it is easier to move the bees into a more permanent hive in my apiary.
The simplest thing to use is a standard deep hive body, bottom board, and lid or another option is to use a nuc box. I like the wax-coated cardboard nuc boxes and I have had decent success catching swarms with them. They are lightweight and the lids are usually pretty well secured. The other benefit is they have a round entrance that has a plastic plug that can be used to close up the hive. This makes moving the NUC much easier. Of course, you can use your wood hives but we will discuss later why their weight could be a problem.
Build Your Own Swarm Trap for Free Bees
You can also build your own bait hives. These can be made from wood, either pine or plywood are two common materials used. The recommended size is about 1.5 to 2 cubic feet. This size has been shown to be preferred by scout bees and ultimately attracting swarms. A Langstroth 10-frame deep hive body is just a hair over 1.5 cubic feet, so that is one of the easiest ways to go.
Using an entrance reducer will help to create the appropriate size opening. The other opening option is to drill a hole into the box for an entrance. This hole should be about one and a half inches in diameter. Regardless if you drill a hole or use an entrance reducer, it has been recommended the opening be about 2 square inches in area. For a round hole that is between a 1 1/2 inch to 1 3/4 inch diameter opening. A rectangular opening could be 1/2” x 4” inches to get to a 2 square-inch entrance.
Swarm Attractant
A swarm attractant or pheromone can help attract swarms to your swarm trap. Lemongrass Essential oil mixed with some beeswax is one method. The other option is you can purchase commercially produced vials of a pheromone attractant. I have had mixed results with using either of these and have perhaps caught more swarms without using anything. The one thing in common with all the swarms I have caught has been drawn comb in the swarm trap.
Whether you are using nuc boxes, Langstroth deeps, or custom building your swarm boxes, placing some frames with drawn comb seems to help. Frames with used comb work fine but I would avoid the old nasty dark comb. Not only do you run the risk of the comb harboring diseases, but I’ve found it apparently not that appealing to swarms. I cannot think of one swarm I’ve caught with an old dark comb. Dispose of old dark comb and try to use a newer comb in your swarm boxes.
Check out this other use for Lemongrass Essential Oil
Where to place your swarm trap
Placement of your swarm trap is another important factor to plan for. You should account for the height off the ground and aspect (direction) for placing your bait hive. Ease of accessing the site and moving a box full of bees is also important to think about. Picking a spot about 8 to 12 feet off the ground and a southern aspect is what is often recommended. While I have had swarms move into boxes at ground level, the most success I have had has been about 9 feet off the ground.
The most important thing to remember is that if you catch a swarm in your swarm trap, it will be much heavier than when you placed it. This is one reason I like the lightweight cardboard Nucs. The wood boxes, especially a Langstroth deep with lid and bottom board can be heavy when full of bees. Safety is the rule here. The last thing you want to do is fall off a ladder reaching for a box of bees. Or worse yet fall off that ladder while holding a box full of bees. So choose a spot you safely access the swarm trap and move it once you have successfully caught a swarm. And make sure to account for the weight you will be moving.
My Preferred Location to Catch Free Bees
My go-to spot has been in a pine tree about nine feet off the ground with the opening facing south. I usually catch one to two swarms a year using this location. I’ve tried similar height locations nearby but with different aspects with no luck. This does not mean that I have not been successful in other locations. As I mentioned above I’ve even caught swarms in boxes sitting on the ground in an open equipment storage building. But that tree location has been the best.
Early spring is the best time to set up your swarm traps. Getting them set out as nearby beehives start to build up their population is the best way to be ready. You want to make sure your bait hives are ready so that when nearby hives swarm you have a place for them to move into. Pests are something you will have to watch out for while your swarm trap is sitting empty. Fortunately, where I keep bees, small hive beetles are not an issue. However, there is a risk of wax moth so I check my swarm boxes occasionally for moths. Usually, I have been lucky and only find the occasional earwig or spider inside.
Don’t miss your chance at catching some “free” bees. Get your swarm traps, bait hives, or whatever you want to call them set up before swarm season starts. While truly not free, at least you are not paying directly for the bees. And it is kind of exciting to find your swarm trap full of recently moved in bees.
