So what are the odds?

[Growing Boy]

Ok, I'm a terrible Dad. After 4 days of cold wet weather in their new hive my package of girls absconded.:eek:
After an appropriate period of mourning and a lot of research on this forum I moved the hive under neath some magnificently blooming bushes with much bee activity, facing south-east, baited with syrup and a modest dusting of Lemon Pledge on the inside of the top cover. ( This is the far boonies Lemon Grass Oil is hard to find.)During the day I get as much activity as one would normally see around an active hive. Dozens upon dozens of bees feasting then just hanging out on the porch in a stupor. So I feel I'm as well positioned to entice a swarm as I can be.
Any thoughts all you bee capturing veterans?:s

[daknoodle]

I caught my swarm by simply having some old hives laying outside with old frames in them. Wasn't even trying and they moved right in. It sounds to me that you've done the best you can.

I do wonder though if they would go to a trap hive that is so close to a feeding area with so many other bees around.

Doug

[Growing Boy]

It was my thought that it's not quite swarm season here yet.( I could be wrong.) Just trying to let the bees know there's pretty good digs here. If they decide to swarm maybe this would be a good spot.
As my wonderful wife says, I'm probably just feeding my own bees.

[daknoodle]

I'm in the DFW area and we've got swarms right now. It really does sound like you are simply feeding all the other bees around. I've also not heard of anyone putting feed in a trap hive as its just asking for robbing and not a permanent home.

[daknoodle]

And also the Pledge, in my opinion, is a big no-no. Its a chemical used for disinfecting things and as such probably will kill insects.

[Growing Boy]

:no:Well, I guess I'll quit feeding them and let nature take it's course.
According to the Material Safety Data sheet on Lemon pledge you could eat it with no ill effects just don't light a match around it as it is propelled butane.:eek: