Spare Equipment Swarm Trap
A Spare Equipment Swarm Trap is a great way to turn old equipment, especially equipment that has seen better days, into a valuable source of new hives. It doesn’t make a bad insurance policy in case your own colonies decide to swarm, either!
Servings Prep Time
1Swarm Trap 30Minutes
Servings Prep Time
1Swarm Trap 30Minutes
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Drill a 1″ hole in the front face of the deep hive box.
  2. Cover the newly drilled hole with 1/4 inch Hardware cloth and staple down securely.
  3. Place the 2″ x 4″ x 24″ board against one side of the box (not the front) with equal portions extending on both sides. Screw in place from the inside of the box using the 1 1/2″ screws.
  4. Screw the 10″ piece of 2″ x 4″ beneath the longer board at the bottom of the hive box, parallel to the upper board. This is so that when it is installed the hive stays straight ‘up and down’.
  5. Securely nail one 20″ x 17″ plywood board (or old migratory cover) in place on the bottom of the box.
  6. Seed the box with old frames, new foundation, and a swarm lure (or some lemongrass scent)
  7. Put the other plywood board in place as a lid and secure with ratchet strap.
  8. Secure in place on a tree by wrapping the other ratchet strap around the two protruding ends of the 2″ x 4″ and tightening with the tree in the resulting loop. Swarm traps are ideally placed 6-8′ up from the ground, so bring a ladder!

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