Bait Hives Make Good Neighbors

After several years of catching swarms, I think I have my preferred bait hive design down pat. Lightweight, easy to transfer frames to permanent hive, recycles frames, easy to transport, and irresistible to swarms.

Double 5 frame nuc boxes, with old propolised frames only in the upper box (one frame with old comb, and four with starter strips heavily coated with beeswax), bottom box is empty, bottom board with small screened drainage/ventilation hole is attached to bottom box, 1 1/4″ entrance hole with bird excluder (nail) and with closure disk for quickly closing the entrance for moving, main entrance blocked (screw used as handle if it needs to be removed), ratchet strap holds it all together. It’s not heavy and easy to transport. I’ll place this now and bait it with scent attractant in about a month. Placement of traps are 75 to 200 yards away from the main bee yard and along tree lines. Height is best at 12 – 15 ft. but I’m not keen on lugging ladders through the woods so I keep them at manageable heights I can reach sanding on the ground. Scout bees will give the bait hive a thorough inspection with points given for correct cavity size, correct entrance size, odor, dryness, height, and location. The more of these you satisfy the more points you earn and the greater the likelihood they will choose the bait hive.