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

[KQ6AR]

Only put screened #8 bottom boards on the traps if you can close them.
Bees like the bottom closed & the entrance small about 2"x 3/4", for traps.

[jdmidwest]

Only put screened #8 bottom boards on the traps if you can close them.
Bees like the bottom closed & the entrance small about 2"x 3/4", for traps.

How do you keep birds from building a nest in the ones with the disc size hole? I did not notice any screen on them.

[tefer2]

Drive a long skinny nail through the hole from the edge.

[delber]

The problem that I found with 1/8" hardware cloth is that SHB can get in through it. If you're using a IPM and have an oil tray under it then it would be fine, but otherwise just leaving it open will enable the SHB to get away from the bees to enter whenever they like. It seemed to me that the hives that I had a SBB on vs. the ones that were solid tended to have more hive beetles. There could be 100 other reasons why this may have been, but unless you can use a smaller cloth I wouldn't use it wide open. I am only going to use a SBB now if I see a SHB problem and will dust with powdered sugar and have a oil pan under it. Just my 2c. (Ok .09 with inflation)

[KQ6AR]

I'm surprised you have to worry about beetles in PA, their not a problem here yet.

[delber]

One hive that died from stress I think. Here's a picture of the bottom board. Last winter being so mild I think is the reason why I was seeing SHB so bad. I'm hopefull that this year won't be as bad. 100_9298.jpg
I'm using upper entrances which is why I need to have the screened hole for any water that gets in to be able to get out. You'll see there are a good ammt. of HSB here. This doesn't obviously include the dead ones in the comb. I had traps in all of my hives last year and they were working also.

[odfrank]

Year 2013 Model #1 is proving itself a big success. BeeWhisperer Bob in San Jose has lured in two so far. As it contains a few frames of foundation, there is little need for me to hurry down to move them into a bigger box. It will be interesting to see how the size of the swarms compares to the five framers caught there in the past. I think the next improvement should be screened feeder hole on top so that the host can immediately feed them, if I can be persuasive enough to get them to do so. That is the kind of friends we all need, ones that will catch the bees, move them to their site, and feed them.

[shannonswyatt]

You should see if he would do a split and maybe extract some honey for you as well!

[KQ6AR]

Only trapped one so far.
Might interest you to know the bee bee tree in my front yard is just starting to show some green. Big difference between usda 9a vs 9b yours greened up over a month ago.

[odfrank]

Fourth catch this year in the new models. One big one, two medium sized ones, haven't opened #4 yet.

[odfrank]

UhOh! Won't fit, kept coming for a few hours.