[kejramer]

Just starting a try with bait hives. Going to use two 8 frame med and I don't want to drill a hole in hive body.
What about an upper entrance using shims or strips of wood 3/8 thick? Use the same strips to close entrance if I should catch a swarm.
Also I know of a feral colony, how close to put a bait hive near it?

Thanks

 

[drlonzo]

as long as you give them a clear opening that is about two to three inches wide to find, (lemongrass oil helps that) and then as for closeness to the feral colony, some say no more then 800 feet, some say less. The idea is to put it somewhere close that is near what they need, water, and a land mark as they tend to navigate by sight at times. Other then that if the boxes you are using had been used prior for another hive it will help as the scent of the bees are already in it.

 

[Mr.Beeman]

I would just take a regular complete hive, ratchet strap it together and place it upwind from the feral hive 100-200' away. Bait with LGO and queen juice.
Swarm arrives, let them take up residence for a couple weeks, maybe more. Screen the openings, place in final hive location and remove the strap and screen. How easy is that?