Landscaping Pots as Swarm Traps?

[PA Pete]

I have a bunch of large (2+ foot diameter) black plastic landscaping pots out back, and it occurred to me that they might make decent swarm traps. They're shaped like the pressed paper "pot" traps, but the plastic is kind of thin. Anybody ever try using these? Any luck?

I'll put some out in my yard this year and bait with lemongrass oil just for sport.

-Pete

[leamon]

Has anyone used plastic storage hampers that are about the size of a hive body? What color? They can be bought for under $4.00.
Thanks,
leamon

[FordGuy]

Great idea. So would you just put a frame of pollen or something, along with the lure, to get them to take up residence?

[Hanginin]

Have used the ones that Brushy Mountain used to sell with some success for years now. They are a dark woodsey color. Can see no reason that other lures properly prepared would work equally well.

[artic]

Though I have never used the traps your are looking to emulate, I'd advise you some how roughen up the inside of the container so as the bees have something to grip as they cluster, as landscaping pots are rather smooth on the inside.

[Dave W]

Somewhere (cant find) I remember a statement being made by a "pot manufacture" that their pots were NOT to be used as swarm traps.

Someone help me here, please.

[dcross]

Dave, I think that was just to help protect themselves against potential lawsuits.

[John F]

Lawsuit?

Plaintiff: Your Honor, I used the accused's flower pot as a swarm trap. The sides were too slick for the cluster to hang on and hence did not stay in the trap. This swarm was of the feral small-cell variety. Very valuable indeed. I foresaw a day when this swarm would give me 7 hives, and each hive 7 nucs, and each nuc 7 packs, and each pack 7 splits.

So, Your Honor, splits, packs, nucs, and hives, the accused owes me <voice of Dr. Evil> one milly-yone dollars...

Actually, it's probably illegal in every state because it doesn't use removable frames.

Well, anyway, cue the Steve Martin disclaimer link...

[leamon]

"I'd advise you some how roughen up the inside of the container so as the bees have something to grip as they cluster,". Artic, would this be needed if some frames are put inside? I thought of using hives but they are pretty heavy to bring down from a tree.
thanks,
leamon

[JohnBeeMan]

I looked for the compressed paper type pots at all the local landscape nurseries this spring. I had no luck locating them until I finally saw some on the rose bushes. When I ask the nursery about them, they said they were special order items and they are only available by the gross.

I have switched to the idea of using waxed cardboard boxes. My son has several boxes in which bulk seafood was shipped. These boxes are slightly larger that a single deep. It may be possible to get some of these from you local seafood stores or roadside markets.

I just do not know what my son will say when he finds all his 'stuff' dumped in the attic of the garage. :D

[PA Pete]

Well...

The other item I plan to use for swarm traps is Staples Paper boxes - the red kind with a lid that are about the same size as a case of beer.

I've painted these forest green so they're less noticeable, and I plan to wax the inside with hot parafin. I'm hoping between the latex and wax, they'll hold up a couple of months in our (very dry lately) PA weather.

-Pete

[artic]

leamon, I guess I should have been mores specific when I said "Though I have never used the traps your are looking to emulate..." I should have continued I've also never used any other type of swarm trap. The limited experience I've had with swarm capture involve grabbing the actual clustered swarm. My only experience with swarm traps was a good look at the commercial 'flowerpot' type traps, and noticed that their interior was rather rough for the bees to cluster on. I'll just bow out and let someone else tell you about success with using comb inside your trap

[livetrappingbymatt]

have been useing 5 frame nucs for swarms for 4 yrs. they work well. bait w/swarm lue/drawn comb.
bob

[PA Pete]

I finished the Staples Paper Box Swarm Traps today - I painted the insides with wax. I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out smile.gif Waxing them was definitely a learning experience - the first ones I did turned out kind of lousy, but then I learned to paint very slow with the melted (parafin) wax. When they were done, I used a propane torch to thoroughly melt the wax into the cardboard, which worked real well. Here are a couple photos:

Swarm Trap (http://home.comcast.net/~pxbacher/pix/Swarm_Box.jpg)
Swarm Trap Inside View (http://home.comcast.net/~pxbacher/pix/Swarm_Box_Open.jpg)

Now if only they attract a couple of swarms :D

[sc-bee]

Would have to sanitize real good, but I believe whole fryers in the market come in waxed boxes. At least they used to!!!!

[magnet-man]

Pete, I looked at your photos and it looks like a good cheap solution. Sure beats $20.

[ May 07, 2006, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: magnet-man ]

[shoefly]

I have used the papermache cones one can buy to protect sensitive plants (roses) in the winter and was successful last year in trapping a swarm. In season, they are cheap at Menards. You got to buy them in the fall though and give them a good layer of paint so they hold up to the weather.

Question for anybody using a nuc box. Do you put frames in the nuc or leave them out to make it a more attractive home.

[carbide]

Somewhat related question. If you bait your traps with drawn comb and lemongrass oil, how do you keep the wax moths from infesting your drawn comb and ruining your setup?

[PA Pete]

I think the answer is "You don't." That's one of the drawbacks of using comb, and why some use only lemongrass oil or pheromone.

Here's one of my swarm traps installed (http://home.comcast.net/~pxbacher/pix/Swarm_Box_Under_Deck.jpg) under our deck smile.gif

[carbide]

PA Pete says,


I think the answer is "You don't." That's what I thought. I set up a spare hive body that I have that is in less than optimal condition with ten old empty frames with waxed guide strips in them. I used a couple of drops of lemongrass oil on the top bars of the frames.

If the trap doesn't attract any swarms then at least it shouldn't attract any wax moths either. I intend to keep a close eye on the trap so that if anything does move in I'll be able to replace the empty frames with drawn comb in a timely manner.

Have you seen any swarms in your area of the state yet?

[Michael Bush]

>Somewhat related question. If you bait your traps with drawn comb and lemongrass oil, how do you keep the wax moths from infesting your drawn comb and ruining your setup?

Certan

http://www.beeworks.com/uscatalog/details/certan.asp

[PA Pete]

I stand corrected (not the first time ;) ) and good to know!

Does anybody use this stuff on a regular basis for anything other than comb in a swarm trap?

[livetrappingbymatt]

carbide,you will lose some combs. i only use old combs that need repairs,ears ect. no real lose?some new pierco frames.
bob

[Michael Bush]

>Does anybody use this stuff on a regular basis for anything other than comb in a swarm trap?


It beats Paramoth (Para Dichloro Benzene).

[buz]

I'm not sure I want to catch swarms any more.
Don - fatbeeman- told me Arizona has a ban on any out of state shipments of bees. Presumably to avoid spreading AHB.

Those swarms I've gotten as of late have turned highly defensive soon after thier numbers increase. Removals from area ranches have generally been mean to start with. The occasional bee tree being cut for firewood has resulted in too small a cluster to make.

I'm focusing on splitting my own hives--once they have increased. I keep a bait box at one end of the yard incase they decide to split themselves...

[Michael Bush]

You can always get the swarms and propmptly requeen them.

[wayacoyote]

All add to Michael's that there is a need for people to collect these swarms, in my opinion. I guess it can be argued that, in areas where AHB is well established, stronger measures will be required. But in areas were they are just moving in, collecting and requeening swarms may have a small effect in heading them off. If left to settle on their own, they will remain just as Hot, but without a beekeeper to manage them and cool them off.

To me, this sounds like a job opportunity for the right person.
Waya