[dcross]

I just removed a colony from a woodburner's chimney, it can't be that strong a deterrent

 

[NW IN Beekeeper]

May ask Jim Fischer, many old bee-liners used to burn a pot of wax and honey to attract bees.

I agree with that idea because before a solar melter, I used a heat gun used for striping paint and the slum sometimes would flame if not submerged in enough wax. It seemed whenever I would start this ritual, and enough smoke has been generated, I'd get a bunch of bees joining me in the garage. Keep in mind however, your scorching should remove all traces of wax/debris.

Your scorching might even lure bees to your old boxes. I'd try it for kicks.

-Jeff

 

[allrawpaul]

It should help more than hurt because the scorching will make the trap smelly enough that the bees will easily find it. A swarm can only take up residence in a site they can find. Southern exposure, a decent height in the air, an entrance hole 4" up from the bottom and no light coming in the top are also factors to consider. A good experiment would be to put two traps next to each other, one scorched, one new wood, and otherwise identicle. Best of luck, Paul.