Bee trees & swarm traps

I go 250-300 yards.

In theory 1/4 mile would be ideal. More or less may work almost as well. Right next door usually isn't the best.

How far from your own hive to catch your own swarms? will the new plastic corrugated nuc boxes work with drawn comb and lemongrass oil?

I've had them move into the empty box next door on occasion. But as you get further it gets more likely until you hit about 1/4 mile then it starts to get less likely from there on out...

Can you get to the trees. and is the entrance close enough to the ground to work it.?? If so, why not look into the new swarm harvester offered by Kelly Bee and trap yourself 3 to 5 starts each year from the tree. After you have the trap, all you need is a new queen for each start.
For more info, look at my posting under the heading of New Equipment review.
Thanks cchoganjr

Both trees (Tulip Poplars) have entrances 20 to 30 feet up.

valleyman said:

How far from your own hive to catch your own swarms? will the new plastic corrugated nuc boxes work with drawn comb and lemongrass oil?

Click to expand...

Not likely, in my opinion. Dark boxes work better, solid walls are better.

I've tried these plastic nuc boxes with zero swarms caught. I usually hang two or three swarm traps in the various creek beds and fencelines, swarms were always caught in the other traps, not these plastic nuc boxes.

Grant
Jackson, MO