Scout Bees or Swarm Catch? (how to tell the difference) 

Super helpful!!! Thanks! I’ve got scouts. 🐝

Honeybee Democracy and The Lives of Bees both written by Thomas Seeley were spectacular books. Amazing how scout bees can spend anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour inspecting a tree cavity to determine its suitability; almost like we do with an open house.

Comment: Nathan, This was a very helpful video. I put up swarm traps and seeing activity at all but a lot at one in particular. I noticed their behavior was different as you noted and no pollen coming in so I knew they were considering but no takers yet. I also came to same conclusion not to refresh lure even though it is time per my calendar to do so. It was just nice to watch this video and get confirmation that I was on the right path. Again this video was very helpful and relevant as your videos typically are! Keep up the excellent work!

I would like a discussion about in hive frame feeders vs hive top feeders. Do you leave them in all the time. If you have a dbl box system do you have a frame feeder in each box. Or do you just have a bid frame feeder in top box. Hope I make the question cut. I am in Uk. Our climate in Oxfordshire is mild with winter 40f temps and not much snow.

Good examples. With the scout bees, I did not see the actual agent for the property showing it, so I agree, they're ready move soon. Without him or her, they must've already agreed and approved of the box. With a real estate agent present, they're still looking...

Question: One thing I noticed today (I have never had this many scout bees to watch) when observing my scout bees was that the bees appeared to "wrestle" with one another and be checking each other out. I have seen outright fighting of guard bees at a hive entrance but this was not like that (e.g. entangled in a death grip falling to the ground) but more of overly curious about each other and wrestling with a little bravado. You did not mention that in your video so I was wondering if you had observed that as another differing behavior of scouts versus occupants?

Thank you! I placed a brood box with three frames of foundation and a lure in my garden. Today was the first sign of activity in and around the hive. There are plenty of scouts but no swarm yet. I told myself I can only keep bees if I can catch a swarm so wish me luck!

I'm just getting into bees this year. I've always trapped for fur...when I found I could buy bees or catch my own, well, I like trapping. So, are there advantages or disadvantages to using a deep hive body as a trap? Do you feel that the production of honey differs between caught bees and bought bees? I'm in SE Michigan, so I'm still trying to find the best time of year in my area.

Moving swarm #10 today. Caught 1 and replaced the trap and another swarm moved in the same day 👍🐝.good luck hope they fill your boxes up.

I’ve had scouts all over 1 of my traps but the weather is all over the place. Warm and sunny 1 day and cold and wet the next. The swarm still not showed up 😆

So your wife decides your actions regarding the bees? LOL!

I got up this morning at thought its time for blackberry bloom!

Thanks you. I have moved one swarm to the apairy and have 2 more to move. I will be out of town all weekend so will move them Monday. I have picked you as my mentor because the way you explain everything 😃

I have scouts checking out one of my traps the other day. I'm going to check it today to see if they moved in. Thanks for sharing!

It's very easy to catch bees here. Bees rarely settle in such a trap in our country, it does not hang correctly.

Since you're in Tennessee, have you met or talked to Kamon Reynolds? Just curious.

Awesome. Found your video because I had some scouts investigating my unoccupied box today.

Still waiting to catch one in a trap!

When my wife tells me it's a convenient time! LOL. Been there!

Thank you for the great info! Currently waiting to see if the scout bees pull the trigger on one of my bait hives!

wow great information...i impress your video and i like...

Great stuff buddy thanks for sharing. I love catching swarms in my swarm traps.

great nathan 4 so far,i think 3 are looking good,1 was just too small ,rehived 1 in backyard treestand,into a 5 frame nuc box w better comb,seen some drawing wax out on other foubdation,and foundation less frame, will relocate soon,yep these are my first year catches yr 2 at beekeeping some wins some losses, nw arkansas

We have had some scouts hanging around here lately

Looks like your efforts are paying off. Thanks for the information.

I live in Nova Scotia Canada i can not wait to try catching swarms your youtube videos are super informative!!

Thanks for that video. I just caught my first swarm but wasn't sure. I guessed that seeing the pollen come in had to be a good sign and you confirmed it!

I cant tell what is going on with my trap. It's been active for 4 days now. Bees in out and around it. The numbers vary right now there are about 60 but this morning a few hundred. Any ideas?

That’s so exciting to catch a swarm!! Hope it becomes a strong hive for you!

Thank you! That was very helpful!

Great job. Thanks my friend

I have had a swarm about 40ft up in a tree in my yard now for 3 days. There is a trap already on the tree and they are checking it out but haven’t moved in yet. I may just try and get them?

You sir are a very well informed person about bees

Good video thank you so much.

Great video.

Do you have to have liability insurance to sell honey?

It's funny how the scouts find it them go back get more scouts it's very democratic of the bees to have a vote if to move in or not 😂

Nice vid!

Nice tree stand!

This is immensely helpful. I set my very first 2 traps yesterday and have a lot of interest on both today, but no swarm yet. They definitely look like your second box, maybe a little more scouts even. Hoping tomorrow is the day!