I have quite a few empty deep brood chambers, bottom boards and all that.
Should i set these outside someplace to possibly catch a swarm.
I have frames built to go in them, but no foundation or drawn comb.
Just curious if this is even worth the time/work to carry them out, and if so where should i put them.
D Coates
04-13-2009, 09:02 AM
Put them out if you want to it definately won't hurt. Worst case senario you'll learn what doesn't work. Go ahead and put the frames in there, otherwise if you do get a swarm and don't get to them quickly you'll have to transfer them to a frame set up. That's a whole lot of work you can easily avoid. Put a few drops of lemongrass oil in there too. I've had no luck with fresh equipment though I know of others that have. I wish you the best.
If the equipment is used and there are some drawn frames (read, smells like an old hive with propolis and comb) it draws swarms in well if they are well placed. This year I'm trying one frame of old comb, 4 frames of undrawn foundation in some used nuc boxes near my apiary and at my brothers place who's 1/4 mile away from another beekeeper. I'm also trying a new deep with 3 frames of old drawn comb and 7 frames of undrawn foundation. I've got them sitting on deer blinds, so they are easy for me to get to, stable, over 10 ft off the ground, and pretty well shaded.