Swarm Trapping is Fun 

Gene, best hanging method I've seen - THANKS!

I do like the chain and S hook idea. Also I liked that you leveled your box and mentioned that the bees use gravity to plumb their wax building. I would like to add that studies conducted by Dr. Tom Seeley suggested that facing an entrance to the South or South East is preferred by the bees because it warms their entrance sooner and obviously if we can have sun hitting the box as early as possible it gives the bees a longer day. Temperature is their alarm clock.

I just stumbled onto your channel. Absolutely LOVE your swing chain method for hanging swarm traps. Most of my boxes are hung on trees I don’t own. This method seems easier than my current two strap cleat system and it won’t damage the tree. If you want to see a homeowner cringe, just drive a nail into their favorite oak tree. 😮 Thank you for sharing.

I like the swing set chain

I'm going to put my traps out this weekend. I thank we have more cold days left in Illinois tho .

Wow, you're about 2 months ahead of Canadian beekeepers! I hung 9 traps last year and ended up with 4 colonies, which was perfect because I had built 4 main hives. I'm a bit skeptical of the lemon grass and swarm commander stuff.. I didn't use any. I feel like it might be fairly unnecessary, especially if you have a bit of wax foundation in the traps already. Hanging traps and waiting for colonies to fill them has been one of the most interesting and rewarding things I've done. Very fun for sure!

Thank you!!!!! I’m not a smart man, Jennie either. This is exactly what I needed.

I hung ONE swarm trap last year and caught two swarms in it! 1st one was in mid-Spring... I left them in there for 3 or 4 weeks until I had a chance to build the new hive. I then waited another two weeks until the old bees quit going back to that tree. Then I hung the trap again and caught a second swarm a few weeks later. A very small one this time. I wish I had moved that trap immediately... and had a second one to hang there. I heard a large swarm flying by one day in the middle there.

Doing this hanging method this year! 🐝 🍯

Such a great video. I wonder however if the entrance is only at mouth height why bother with a ladder and it's safey issues at all? What I'd try is fitting the vertical wood plank to the tree on it's own with screws at 45 degrees facing down so they protrude say 1/2in (13mm) and dig in. I'd strap that to the tree and then attach the box to the plank with a hook over system of wood or metal. It would save all the heavy lifting to the very last minute and make it safe to work at ground level.

good video thank you

Just finished making another swarm trap.

Good presentation. Just a suggestion regarding using ladders to hang traps. No swarm is worth risking a broken back or worse. At a minimum, consider investing in a lineman belt whether store bought or DIY. You'll have two hands free and at least feel safe.

Hi, how far from your own existing bee yard should you hang a trap to avoid catching your own bees?

Will you make a video when you do catch a swarm so we can see how to bring a heavy box safely down. Thanks for this terrific video.

After a swarm moves in the trap how long do you usually leave the trap on the tree before you take it to your apiary?

Can you expand on the Lazutin-style traps you hung toward the end of the video? (Great camera work, Sheila!)

Thanks for the great video, as usual! I'm building some Layens traps now. What protective equipment do you think is good for a beginner? Ideally I'd like to go minimal (as long as I can maintain the same patience you exhibit).

Hi, I would like to contact you for a few tips for building Layen's traps and hives If you have time for that. Thanks!

My problem is bears destroying traps after bees move in. For example, in 2023 I got 6 swarms; bears got 14. Back in 2022 I had thought I could outsmart bees by throwing rope over tree limb and hauling trap up 20 feet and my results were ZERO bees at any swinging trap! Since then I just put my traps up at eye level and try to get to trap before bears do.

Why not clamp an S hook, or both, to the end(s) of the chain prior to installation? 🐢

Are folks usually ok with you hanging them on their property, that's my issue.