[juzzerbee]

I am excited to try out setting swarm traps/bait hives. What do you suggest to use as a box. I would like to keep the price down(if possible) but still do it right to keep the best odds in my favor for success. Build my own(out of??), buy a wooden or corrugated nuc box, use a deep or medium hive body?

Also, do I need to place drawn frames in the box or does plasticell or wax foundation work well when set in the hive? Thanks a lot, juzzer

 

[Mr.Beeman]

I build 5 frame medium nuc hives and stack two supers to house 10 frames. Drawn comb (at least 2) in the bottom super works best. A 10 frame medium will work.... just harder to hang out.
Good luck.

 

[Rader Sidetrack]

I don't build single purpose traps. I use existing hive bodies that are not currently on an active hive. Make your equipment do double duty. Use what you have - any size trap is better than not putting traps out at all.

If you want to read Seeley's study of optimum bait hives, click here:
http://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/2653/2/Bait Hives for Honey Bees.pdf

 

[juzzerbee]

So there I have it, just like all aspects of beekeeping.....everyone is different in how things are done. Thanks, and I will check out the link.

If I go the 10 deep route(1 deep hive body), do I need to fill the box with 10 deeps? I was planning on placing 1-2 frames of drawn comb(like mentioned above) in and then adding 6 frames with 2" of wax foundation as starter strips. I don't have an abundance of drawn deep frames and the ones I do have quite a bit of pollen in them. Would it be okay to use the frames that have pollen scattered throughout the cells?

Otherwise I might build a 5 frame nuc box that would house deeps(easier to hang). If I do that, 2 frames of drawn and then fill it out with the frames of wax foundation?
Thanks, juzzer

 

[Mr.Beeman]

The drawn frames get the queen laying right away compared to non drawn (makes sense). Either way you go will work.