A swarm trap, often called a bait box, is a specialized container designed to attract and capture a honey bee swarm that is seeking a new home. This strategy mimics the natural tree hollows or cavities that scout bees search for, providing a desirable, pre-vetted location. Utilizing a swarm trap is an excellent, low-effort method for beekeepers to acquire free bees, manage local feral populations, and introduce beneficial genetic diversity to an apiary.
Critical Design Specifications and Materials
The success of a swarm trap relies on replicating the natural cavity characteristics that honey bee scouts prefer. The ideal internal volume is between 40 and 60 liters, with 40 liters (approximately 10.6 gallons) often cited as the most attractive size. This volume is large enough to house a substantial colony and its initial stores.
The entrance hole size is equally important, as bees prefer a restricted opening for defense and thermal regulation. An optimal opening is about one to two inches in diameter, providing roughly two square inches of access. This entrance should be positioned near the bottom of the front panel, mimicking a typical tree cavity entry point.
For construction, use durable, weatherproof materials like exterior-grade plywood or untreated lumber. Untreated wood is preferred to avoid chemical odors that might deter the bees. The box must be robust yet lightweight enough to be safely hoisted and secured 10 to 15 feet off the ground.
Constructing the Swarm Trap
The construction process begins with cutting the lumber or plywood panels to form the walls, top, and bottom of the box, ensuring the internal dimensions meet the 40-liter target volume. All joints should be secured tightly using exterior-grade wood glue and fasteners, such as nails or screws, to create a watertight and durable seal. Maintaining square corners is important for later frame installation.
The entrance hole should be drilled at a slight upward angle to allow any rainwater that enters to drain back out instead of pooling inside the trap. The lid should be designed to be secure against the elements and wind, but easily removable for inspection and colony transfer. While the interior must be left raw to preserve natural wood scent, the exterior can be painted a light color for weather protection and to reduce heat absorption.
Essential Baiting Techniques
Once the structure is complete, the interior must be prepared to attract scout bees by simulating the scent of an established hive. The most effective method involves using a scent lure that mimics the Nasonov pheromone, which honey bees use to orient and mark a new nest site. A few drops of lemongrass essential oil, a natural source of a Nasonov component, can be applied to a cotton swab and placed inside the trap near the entrance.
Further enhancing the trap’s appeal involves including old, dark drawn comb, specifically brood comb, secured inside the box. Scout bees are highly attracted to the residual scent of beeswax, propolis, and pheromones left behind on old comb, which signals a successful, established nest site. This significantly increases the likelihood of a swarm choosing the location over an empty cavity.
Placement and Post-Capture Management
Strategic placement is crucial, as height and visibility are major factors in a scout bee’s assessment. The trap should be secured to a tree or pole, ideally 10 to 15 feet above the ground, making it visible to passing swarms. Positioning the trap at the edge of a wood line, or overlooking an open area, often yields the best results.
The entrance should generally face south or southeast to allow morning sun exposure, a preference observed in natural nest sites. Traps should be deployed in early spring, typically three to four weeks before the main nectar flow, corresponding with the peak swarming season.
Once a swarm has moved in, the colony should be left undisturbed for several days to a week to allow them to settle and begin drawing comb. The transfer process must be performed at night, after all foraging bees have returned, by closing the entrance and carefully lowering the trap. The captured colony is then safely transferred into a permanent hive structure using standard beekeeping equipment to establish their new home.