Update on Swarm Trap

Posted on June 18, 2012, 9:29 pm by Chris

Back in April I built and deployed a swarm trap about 100 feet from my backyard hives.

I was interested to see if I could catch any wild swarms, swarms from nearby beeks or at least one from my own hives should they decide to swarm.

Even though I placed a reducer on the front (some studies show bees like a small opening when searching for a home), added frames of foundation, chunks of wax and lemongrass oil to the swarm trap, I've never seen any bee take interest in it.

Today I went over to take a peek at it and found a pair of eyes looking back out at me.



I lowered the swarm trap from it's position on the perch, took the lid and contents out and found two green tree frogs inside.





Comments For This Post: (2) | Post Your Comments! Hide The Comment Form
Mark Martin says...
Date:   June 19, 2012, 9:24 am

Maybe the frogs thought it was a buffet set out just for them with every scout bee that comes knocking!

On a side note about swarm traps or nesting boxes - if you haven't read it, I would recommend the book "Honeybee Democracy".  It is all about the decision making process that honeybee's use to find a new home.  Lots of detail about the idea size of the nest site, opening, etc.


Chris (Show Me The Honey) says...
Date:   June 19, 2012, 9:49 am

I was wondering the same thing - if the frogs figured a great spot to ambush would be just inside the box, laying in wait.

I recently saw a webinar from Tom Seeley about swarm decision making, the author of Honeybee Democracy. It's probably not as in-depth as his book, but does offer a overview.

After watching it, it made me interested to go back and re-read (or finish reading) his book. :)



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