Attracting a wild honey bee swarm to an empty hive or bait box is a specific practice distinct from luring individual foraging bees. Beekeepers use this technique to expand their apiary or safely relocate wild colonies. It involves creating an environment that mimics the ideal natural nesting site. The goal is to appeal to scout bees, which are tasked with finding a new home, by presenting a cavity with favorable characteristics. Successfully enticing a swarm relies on optimizing the container’s location, preparing its interior, and utilizing specific chemical attractants.
Selecting the Ideal Bait Location
The choice of where to place a bait box is a primary factor in determining success, as scout bees are highly selective about a new nesting site. They prefer a location that offers a clear, unobstructed flight path for easy access. Placing the bait hive relatively high off the ground, typically between 8 and 15 feet, better simulates the elevated tree hollows that bees naturally seek.
The orientation of the hive entrance also plays a role. A south or southeast-facing entrance is favorable, as it allows the morning sun to warm the hive quickly, signaling a well-insulated cavity. The site should also be within a reasonable distance of reliable forage and a consistent water source, which are necessary for the colony’s survival. Avoid placement too close to existing, strong colonies, as this can invite competition or potential robbing behavior.
Preparing the Internal Hive Structure
Once the location is chosen, the internal modifications of the container are paramount, as bees evaluate the physical characteristics of a potential home. Honey bee swarms prefer a specific cavity size, with an internal volume of approximately 40 liters (about 1.5 cubic feet) accepted as the optimal size. The chosen box must also be watertight and structurally secure to provide protection from the elements.
Scout bees are strongly drawn to the scent of established brood comb, which signals a history of successful occupation and provides a ready-made foundation. Placing a few frames containing old, dark drawn comb inside the bait box serves as a powerful physical and chemical lure. The entrance hole should also be reduced in size, ideally to about 1.5 to 2.5 square inches, making it easily defensible against pests and predators. This small, defensible opening makes the cavity appear more attractive and secure to the scout bees.
Utilizing Specific Swarm Attractants
Beekeepers utilize chemical attractants that mimic the bees’ natural communication signals to increase the bait box’s appeal. The primary attractant is a synthetic blend that copies the Nasonov pheromone. Worker bees naturally release this pheromone to orient and guide others to a new nest site. Commercial swarm lures often contain compounds like citral, geraniol, and nerolic acid, which replicate the scent used during the swarming process.
A more accessible substitute is lemongrass essential oil, which contains high concentrations of citral and geraniol. The oil’s scent closely mimics the natural Nasonov pheromone, making it highly effective at drawing in scout bees. Apply the oil sparingly—a few drops on an absorbent material or lightly rubbed onto the frames is sufficient. Over-application can be repellent due to the bees’ sensitive sense of smell. Lures are typically placed inside the box or attached near the entrance to broadcast the inviting scent.
Seasonal Timing and Monitoring
Successful deployment of a bait box depends on accurate seasonal timing that coincides with the honey bee swarming cycle. Swarming is a natural reproductive process, most commonly occurring during the peak floral bloom of late spring and early summer. It is important to set up and bait the hive several weeks before the local swarming season begins, ensuring the box is available when scout bees search for new homes.
Once deployed, the bait hive requires consistent monitoring to determine if scout bees are visiting. Scout bees can be identified as they fly in and out of the entrance, often performing a distinctive “waggle dance” to communicate the site’s quality. After a successful inspection by the scout team, the entire swarm will arrive rapidly, occupying the box. Checking the bait hive every few days allows the beekeeper to confirm occupation and prepare to transfer the captured swarm to a permanent hive.