This year's Odfrank Swarm Trap Models - 2013 year model #1

[Mr.Beeman]

A fiber or flat steel washer under the wingnut will allieviate the the turning problem of the steel entrance disc. If you want to go all out, a flat rubber washer then a stainless steel washer under the wingnut.

[odfrank]

Does everyone have to do this, or only the commercial folks?

No one has to do it. It is just more traceable than a name.

[shannonswyatt]

Gotch, does everyone have to be state registered?

[tefer2]

Makes no difference what kind of washer you use, when you forget to tighten the wing nut!

[odfrank]

Gotch, does everyone have to be state registered?

It is an old un-enforced law. If you went down to my county ag to register they probably wouldn't know what you were talking about. I did it way back in 1977? so I could brand my boxes with a good identifier. Again, I don't know if in this era anybody would know what the numbers mean.

[Mbeck]

Nice work!
I can't catch a swarm to save my life. Is there any chance of that Charlie could teach some beekeeping classes locally?
Your state # is so much simpler than the 47 letter and number monstrosity that Fl requires on boxes here!

[Mr.Beeman]

So true tefer2. lol

[PAHunter62]

I run those same Kelley metal entrance disc. If you leave the wingnut loose, they will rotate closed on their own. I now place my holes at the top of the disk for that reason.

A push pin through one of the small holes would resolve that issue altogether.

[KQ6AR]

We registered at CCC Ag. they didn't give us a # but knew all about registering. They also give out the certs so you can sell honey at farmers markets.
One of the people I spoke to in there used to be a bee inspector, another gal inspects loads of hives when they come in for almonds.

It is an old un-enforced law. If you went down to my county ag to register they probably wouldn't know what you were talking about. I did it way back in 1977? so I could brand my boxes with a good identifier. Again, I don't know if in this era anybody would know what the numbers mean.

[odfrank]

A push pin through one of the small holes would resolve that issue altogether.

Maybe some kind of rubber washer on top of the disk with a steel washer on top of it and then the wing nut. The last few I opened I had my spray bottle with me and soaked the bees that rushed out so I could tighten the nut well. Once you smother a catch you learn to check them for tightness.

[Mr.Beeman]

Darn good idea frank!

[mtndewluvr]

Well, odfrank...I was wonderng why you were giving another guy so much crap, a month or two ago, about his "home made" traps. It all makes much more sense now that you've turned over a new leaf! Nice boxes...looking forward to the challenge this year!

[odfrank]

Well, odfrank...I was wonderng why you were giving another guy so much crap, a month or two ago, about his "home made" traps. !

I DID THAT??? I feel terrible about that. Give me a link so I can apologize. I am trying to turn over a new leaf and be the kind, understanding, helpful odfrank. Not that old grump from the past. Charlie has really been helpful in helping me find my inner self.

[Charlie B]

Well, odfrank...I was wonderng why you were giving another guy so much crap, a month or two ago, about his "home made" traps. It all makes much more sense now that you've turned over a new leaf!

I've been working with Olly for a while now and I think I'm beginning to make an impression.

[mtndewluvr]

Ohmygosh...never change! I was just puzzled why you were promoting unifom hives back then when we had all seen what you had been having so much success with the last couple of years.

[Dconrad]

my traps are not as fancy as odfrank I do like his design very much, I think the next batch that I make I will be borrowing his design.

[odfrank]

Charlie is not going to approve of that color scheme.

[bevy's honeybees]

[QUOTE=Mbeck;893641]Nice work!
I can't catch a swarm to save my life. Is there any chance of that Charlie could teach some beekeeping classes locally?
QUOTE]

MBeck, you should have no trouble catching swarms, you are in Florida. Last year I caught 5 swarms, learned how right here from Odfrank, Charlie, Michael Bush.

I put out 6 bait boxes last year and caught 5 nice swarms. Got surplus honey off 3 of them in fall. The only box that didn't get a swarm is because it was past swarm season by then.

I'm going to start putting out bait boxes by next week. Last year I caught my first 2 in early March, but there are bees swarming in Northern Florida now so I will start earlier this year.

[Dconrad]

Charlie is not going to approve of that color scheme.

would he aprove if I did a little camo work on them

[odfrank]

No, don't change them just for Charlie, he has warped taste in colors. They look just fine to me, will blend in to the foliage just fine.
What is the green closure square made of? Do you have ventilation if you move them on a hot night? I have to look for some hard, flat, thick, plastic screen with which to make similar closures.
A closeup picture of those would be nice.