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I load both my 6 and 8 frame traps with only one old brood comb. The rest foundation less frames. For your setup i would only use one. Hang them so the box is level. Then just wait for it to...

I ran all foundation less frames in my swarm traps lat year. I caught 14 swarms and the bees built well on them. This is my second year doing this. As long as I keep things level it works out. I...

I have had great luck with using the foundation less frames from Walter Kelley. I have only used deep frames. As long as your hive is level they will work. I don't even use a wax starter strip...

SQKCRK:

A. I don't have to let the colony die, but unless I had a queen raised locally, or a frame of eggs from one of my GOOD hives I see little benefit to my colonies from a purchased queen. I...

dkvello: I trap all of my bees. My most productive trapping sites are near old Apiary locations. Several of those locations have not had hives since the late 80s. I have lived in this area my...

This always gets heated between Beeks. I for one do not believe in the aggrandizement of man. Bees have been on this earth longer than man has been caring for them. I feel it is foolish to believe...

Squarepeg: I know of nothing standard in beekeeping. I had a colony just limp through to spring 2011. They overwintered on only 3 frames from 2010-2011. I thought they were doomed , but last fall...

Northwest: good luck. I was a part of three cutouts this year and only got the queen 1 of 3 times. A month ago i would have said get some eggs from another hive and go for it. At this stage of...

Drawn comb, particularly if it is old is a good draw. I have been using it the last two years. Haven't caught as many swarms as some, but enough for me.

Congrats

Up to 5 now. The last three days have been good to me.

Finally on the board! Mark me down for 1 :)
I don't know what day I picked this one up because the landowner is scared to death of bees and stays away from the trap. No pollen going in so...

Odfrank:
They are showing signs of disease already? Man I hope that doesn't happen here. Sorry to hear it.

Cleo:
I currently have one of these contraptions installed. Friday I will be putting the brood in the "harvester" box. So far so good....

What is that zip-loc bag doing there in the bottom of your trap-out box? What it for?

Odfrank: do you have those traps in a no wind zone? They look like nuke boxes. Did you make them and weight them or something? Do they ever blow off of your barrels, or big black pots?

Black Locust started a little yesterday, really putting it on today.

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Only beekeepers could turn this into a conversation more anal than a group of pharmacists. Do what ye will. I do not go through my life worrying about good sumaratin laws and felony convictions. I...

I have a pen, and I am not allergic. I have it just in case anyone wants to come along on hive inspections. Very few people are that allergic to bees, in fact I think the fear is over-blown. If it...

I would get a new doctor. I am a pharmacist in Indiana. I have never heard of a doc doing anything like that. I would ask that doctor what you are supposed to do if you have a reaction and don't...

I am with robherc

Good luck and keep us posted.

I would just keep it as simple as possible. I Started out using 5 frames total, 1 drawn old black comb (placed in the center) and 4 foundation less frames. It was not enough. The bees were...

I agree with you both. After last years 2 near death experiences on a 10 foot stepladder with swarm traps so heavy I could hardly lift them off of the nail, I am an ON THE GROUND kind of guy. I...

Don: keep us posted on the progress please. I checkerboarded my honey supers in the same fashion. It doesn't matter to me if they draw it out in drone comb as long as they just fill it with honey....

Don: those bad results just came from putting a box full of none drawn foundation less frames on top of a previously occupied deep. I have had much better results checker boarding them between...

Here are a couple of frames that show some of my experiences with foundation-less frames.
This is what happens when I nadir deeps under pre-existing ones to get them to draw foundation. ...