Tag Archives: swarm trap

Where your bees come from matters

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Jason

This year overwintered colonies seem to reaffirm conclusions that I have suspected for a long period of time. Not all bees are created equal! This is two colonies from feral stock Easter weekend 2013.  1005 (Left) is one from 2010 … Continue reading →

Posted in Feral Bees, Hive Reports, Rants, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Time to take down the traps

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Jason

We are at the end of the swarm trapping season.  Before leaving for vacation I retrieved several traps.  As with all things in beekeeping I learned some things in the process and I will be sharing them with you.  Many … Continue reading →

Posted in Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Right under my nose.

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Jason

Last Friday we got some rain finally.  Not much, but we will take anything we can get at this point.  I was pretty sure it would cause at least a limited amount of swarming activity.  Well, I was right, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Maybe facebook does have some value

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Jason

Last weekend was filled by getting some used hive equipment as well as attempting to repair the main computer here at the LetMBee homestead.  Come to find out, I was also catching bees, and didn’t need to leave the house … Continue reading →

Posted in Feral Bees, Shaken Swarms, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

After work work

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Jason

Things have slowed somewhat with my traps.  Last night I hived a strangler, Trap03, after I got off work.  It came from a new site.  There had been a hit on it previously this spring.  “On 5/13 – HIT, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Inspiration from across the pond

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Jason

There are many facets of beekeeping.  Some are fun, exciting and rewarding while others are tedious and boring.  This year I have assembled and wired hundreds of frames already and need to do about a hundred more.  It makes me … Continue reading →

Posted in Feral Bees, Posts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Another observation on swarming behavior

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Jason

I am becoming more and more convinced about another observation in swarm trapping.  Last year (2011) I began the spring with only three hives.  They were all relocated to Hive Site 01 (HS01).  I had just began trapping and did … Continue reading →

Posted in HowTo, Posts, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

New observation on swarming behavior

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Jason

Recently I have become aware of a behavior that bees are displaying around my swarm traps.  I missed it before because I had been putting traps inside woods or along wood-lines never knowing exactly when they were occupied.  Due to … Continue reading →

Posted in HowTo, Swarm Trapping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Hiving a Trapped Swarm

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Jason

You made it to the point of  pollen coming into your trap.  You have moved it to its final location and now it is time to transfer the frames from the trap into a hive body.  This should be done … Continue reading →

Posted in Feral Bees, HowTo, Posts, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Potential pitfalls to swarm trapping

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Jason

Last weekend I found myself in a funk.  There was an event that made me realize that swarm trapping along with all of its positive aspects may also have some negative consequences.  Trap 15 had been hanging in one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Pests, Posts, Swarm Trapping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments