Plastic frames in a trap?

793 Views 8 Replies 3 Participants Last post by GregB, May 21, 2020

GregB

Discussion Starter · May 21, 2020

Helping out a new potential beek to catch some bees for him.
All he has for the frames - a bunch of used plastic.

I did donate few old wooden frames with black comb to him.
He has a pair of these in each in his traps for the smell.
Otherwise his traps are old used traditional boxes filled with used plastic frames.

Of course, I baited the traps just like I bait mine (LGO, etc).

Since I avoid full plastic frames altogether, I don't know if these will work for swarm trapping.
For myself, I would gut all these plastic frames and make them foundation-less.
But I don't feel like I should be "destroying" his property.

Anyone has positive (or negative) experience of using full plastic frames in the traps?

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Gray Goose

· #2 · May 21, 2020

Sorry Greg, I avoid Plastic....too many issues with it.
I guess it they are old they have off gassed the plastic smell.

If you can put one in the same area as one not having plastic, and keep track.

I guess my advice would be
1) buy some old comb in the spring from a beek from dead outs
2) if 1 is a no go , get a Nuc or Package, use wood with FL or Wax foundation, even if they dead out you would hopefully have 10-20 combs for trapping the next year.

If he strikes out, PM me in Jan, I can part with some old combs from dead outs maybe 10, or 12, to help out, As at 100 frame boxes for the wood, and 25LB wax is appx a buck each, I can do it for 2 bucks a frame + shipping. I'll toss in a bit of propolis to make a tincture from to coat any new wood, on me. Be advised they may be will have drone cells and some holes etc. Win win , he gets some old comb, I get new frames, for replacements.
I use swarm commander, it does seem to help.

Accurate answer to the question, due to my perception of plastic, I have never tried it.

GG

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odfrank

· #3 · May 21, 2020

Yes, if they have black comb on them. I have plastic frame combs I have adopted and have caught several swarms on them. That is the only reason I have a few hives with plastic frames. The bees actually like them if you can get past getting them drawn.

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Gray Goose

· #4 · May 21, 2020

there you go Greg, drop them into one of your hives and draw them out

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GregB

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 21, 2020

Gray Goose said:
Sorry Greg, I avoid Plastic....too many issues with it.
........
Accurate answer to the question, due to my perception of plastic, I have never tried it.

GG

Same here - I just avoid plastic, so have no experience with it.

For myself, I'd gut the plastic frames and tape in the black combs (I actually got tons black combs from my dead-outs).
I might propose to do this to the guy - but am not sure if I should.
To most people what I do is stupidity (why would anyone sane destroy the "good stuff").
Of course, I am not exactly sane anyway. LOL

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GregB

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 21, 2020

odfrank said:
Yes, if they have black comb on them. I have plastic frame combs I have adopted and have caught several swarms on them. That is the only reason I have a few hives with plastic frames. The bees actually like them if you can get past getting them drawn.

Cool; thanks.

Those plastic frames are covered in black, moldy, half-ruined by moth combs.
I chose the most terrible looking frames from his collections for his traps.
Of course, he wanted to use the most new and shiny ones - naturally.

OK then, assuming I did the right thing - I just want this guy to succeed.
They nicely allowed me onto their property - so I am interested!

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GregB

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 21, 2020

Gray Goose said:
there you go Greg, drop them into one of your hives and draw them out

Cool beans!
Sounds like whatever is on hand should just work.

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Gray Goose

· #8 · May 21, 2020

GregV said:
Same here - I just avoid plastic, so have no experience with it.

For myself, I'd gut the plastic frames and tape in the black combs (I actually got tons black combs from my dead-outs).
I might propose to do this to the guy - but am not sure if I should.
To most people what I do is stupidity (why would anyone sane destroy the "good stuff").
Of course, I am not exactly sane anyway. LOL

So take 4 of his plastic frames , cut the plastic out fasten in the black comb, show him, set 1 More trap.

If you end up catching 1 good swarm, value 125 bucks, his 4 frames for trying were worth it. really it is a 10 dollar decision.

GG

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GregB

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 21, 2020

Gray Goose said:
So take 4 of his plastic frames , cut the plastic out fasten in the black comb, show him, set 1 More trap.

If you end up catching 1 good swarm, value 125 bucks, his 4 frames for trying were worth it. really it is a 10 dollar decision.

GG

Good point, GG.
10$ decision.
I will propose the idea.

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