Swarm are designed to journey. When a swarm lands, a beekeeper by no means is aware of how lengthy they may keep put. I’ve typically rushed out of the home to catch a swarm solely to have them go away within the time it took me to drive to their location. In case you hope to catch a swarm this season, keep in mind that time is of the essence! That’s why I prefer to preserve every little thing I want in my automotive. Afterall, you by no means know if you’re going to get the decision to rescue some bees. Learn on to learn how to make your personal swarm-catching package.

The 5 Should-Haves for a Swarm Catching Equipment

1. A Nuc Field

I nearly all the time use a nuc field to catch swarms. I like this selection as a result of nuc packing containers are light-weight and simple to hold. Particularly in the event you screw the underside board to the nuc physique. Plus, they take up much less room in my automotive. I additionally love that the swarm can keep within the nuc field for awhile. This implies I should not have to distrub them proper after I catch them, I can wait till they’re established earlier than I switch the to full-size gear.

Massive Swarms Tip: The one time I don’t like to make use of nuc packing containers is for giant swarms. In these circumstances, I’ll use a full-size Langstroth field or two medium packing containers. Offering an acceptable sized field for the swarm will increase the possibilities that they may keep in your apiary.

Observe for High Bar Beekeepers

There are lots of Nuc Field designs for prime bar bekeepers, from DIY plans to custom-made packing containers on Etsy. To catch a swarm I need to put in a prime bar hive, I create a prime bar nuc with a deep Langtroth Field and 9-10 prime bars or place my prime bars in a Nuc Field. I can do that as a result of all of my bars are 19 7/8 inches lengthy, which is the size of a Langstroth field. You may glimpse this methodology on this reel I made for Instagram about my first swarm catch of 2022. When utilizing a TBH nuc field, ensure that the scale of the nuc match your full-size hive.

MacGyvering a Family Merchandise for a Swarm Catch

If you’re contemplating utilizing home goods like buckets and cardboard packing containers to catch swarms, the swarm will must be transferred to a correct hive asap. The stress of transferring would possibly trigger the bees to go away. Because of this, I  solely use home goods to catch a swarm in a pinch.

2. Protecting Gear

My package contains my ventilated bee go well with and nitrile gloves. Swarms are normally docile by nature, however you by no means know. My go well with is like my seat belt. I put on it in case of worst-case situation. Swarm catches also can draw a curious crowd, so I additionally prefer to have it on to set an instance for non-beekeepers in attendance.

3. Swarm Lure & Bee Repellent

It’s useful to have a lure , however right here’s the trick, I by no means spray it in my nuc field. Lures scent like lemongrass and immitate the Nasonov pheremone, a bee homing sign, however they’re VERY highly effective. Juts inserting the uncapped bottle close to the doorway is sufficient. In case you spray it, the scent would possibly initially entice the swarm, but when the scent is overwhelming it might additionally trigger them to go away it.

Bee repellents like Fischer’s Bee Fast assist when a part of the swarm tries to return to the unique location. Returning foragers, for instance, typically get confused about the place to go. Spraying a little bit of repellant on the unique spot can encourage foragers to maintain looking for the hive elsewhere.

 4. Ratcheting Straps & Duct Tape

You will have a method to safe your nuc field if you take the bees residence. I take advantage of duct tape to safe the lid and to carry my entrance blocker in place. You may see how I take advantage of duct tape and an entrance blocker in this swarm catch video I made for Instagram.

If I’m catching a big swarm and utilizing a Langstroth field, I take advantage of ratcheting straps. Take a look at my put up on transferring bees in the event you want details about this course of.

5. Primary Instruments: Pruners & a Sharp Knife

Throughout a swarm catch, you would possibly end up reaching for pruners to take away branches and vegetation blocking a swarm. A knife additionally is useful for plenty of issues, from reducing strips of duct tape to eradicating bits of comb the swarm might have began constructing.

Take a look at my first swarm catch of 2019 or this eggplant swarm catch for instance of how useful pruners will be.

Non-compulsory Gadgets to your Swarm Equipment

This stuff are usually not mandatory, however you would possibly discover them helpful! You may learn extra particulars about them in an article I wrote for Conserving Yard Bees.

1. Ladder or sturdy step stool to succeed in a excessive swarm.
2. Entrance blocker to safe the hive field for transport.
3. Body of comb in your nuc field to encourage bees to remain.
4. White sheet unfold beneath the swarm to make bees that fall from the cluster simple to identify.

Need to see some extra swarm catches and the sorts of kits I convey with me?

Take a look at a few of these movies.

Need to be taught extra swarm suggestions from me? Take a look at my new on-demand streaming class Swarms & Splits.