I used to use those cylindrical type swarm traps that are made from some type of pressed paper and I would routinely catch swarms.... I have abandoned them since they don't last forever in favor of nuc boxes that last much longer. In all cases, I use lemongrass oil as a lure. I simply dab a bit on both ends of a Q-tip and place inside about every other week.
I haven't caught a single swarm using the nucs now in 2 years and getting more than a little frustrated. Surely the bees wouldn't care which I use? The only thing that might be different is that the cylindrical was always empty/hollow whereas the nuc box I may place some frames w/ foundation or foundation with old drawn comb. So far nothing. I've watched 3 swarms fly away in 2 years and who knows how many more I may be missing. Recently I removed the center three undrawn frames thinking maybe the bees would prefer more open area. Both nuc boxes are about 100 feet on either side of my apiary in the same original locations that I used to place the other type of trap. Scout bees always seem interested, but I guess just not enough.
Right now there's a swarm about 40 feet up in a tree right above my apiary. Been there for 3 days..... I'd sure hate to see them fly away.
Any ideas?
I haven't caught a single swarm using the nucs now in 2 years and getting more than a little frustrated. Surely the bees wouldn't care which I use? The only thing that might be different is that the cylindrical was always empty/hollow whereas the nuc box I may place some frames w/ foundation or foundation with old drawn comb. So far nothing. I've watched 3 swarms fly away in 2 years and who knows how many more I may be missing. Recently I removed the center three undrawn frames thinking maybe the bees would prefer more open area. Both nuc boxes are about 100 feet on either side of my apiary in the same original locations that I used to place the other type of trap. Scout bees always seem interested, but I guess just not enough.
Right now there's a swarm about 40 feet up in a tree right above my apiary. Been there for 3 days..... I'd sure hate to see them fly away.
Any ideas?