To attract a swarm of bees to a new box, you must make it smell and feel like an ideal home. This is primarily achieved by using scent lures, such as coating the inside with beeswax, rubbing it with propolis, or adding old frames that contain the scent of a previous colony. Commercially available pheromone lures, especially those containing lemongrass oil, are also highly effective at signaling a desirable location to scout bees.
The core challenge is not just placing a box, but thinking like a scout bee. You are creating an irresistible real estate listing by appealing to a swarm's innate criteria for a safe, secure, and resource-rich new home.
The Science of Attraction: Speaking the Bees' Language
To successfully capture a swarm, you need to understand what scout bees are looking for. They are the real estate agents for the colony, and your bait hive needs to meet their strict criteria. It all starts with scent.
The Power of Scent Cues
Bees communicate and navigate their world through scent. A new, empty wooden box smells like cut lumber, not a home.
You need to add familiar, positive scents. Rubbing beeswax on the inner walls and entrance is the most basic step. If you have access to propolis (a resinous "bee glue"), rubbing it inside is even better, as its aroma signals a healthy, established hive.
Mimicking the "Come Hither" Signal
When bees find a good resource or a new home, they release a Nasonov pheromone. This scent essentially screams "this is a great spot, come here!" to other bees.
You can mimic this pheromone very effectively. Lemongrass essential oil is a powerful and widely used attractant because its chemical components are remarkably similar to the Nasonov pheromone. A few drops on a cotton ball placed inside the hive is often the most critical ingredient for success.
The Scent of a Previous Tenant
The single most effective lure is old, dark brood comb. These are frames where a queen previously laid eggs and young bees were raised.
This comb is saturated with the smells of beeswax, pollen, propolis, and generations of bee pheromones. To a scout bee, this is the ultimate proof that the location is not just viable but has a successful track record.
Designing the Ideal "Move-In Ready" Home
Scent will get the scouts' attention, but the physical characteristics of the box will seal the deal. The location and structure of your bait hive are just as important as the smell.
The Right Volume
Swarms have a preferred hive volume. They are looking for a space that is big enough for the colony to grow and store honey for winter, but not so large that it's difficult to defend and keep warm.
A volume of around 40 liters is considered ideal. This is conveniently the size of a standard 10-frame deep hive body, making it a perfect choice for a bait hive.
Location Is Everything
Where you place your bait hive is critical. A perfectly scented box in the wrong spot will be ignored.
Scout bees prefer a home that is 10 to 15 feet off the ground, making it safe from ground-level predators and moisture. It should also be visible, perhaps along a treeline, so scouts can easily spot it. A south-facing entrance is often preferred for warmth.
A Small, Defensible Entrance
Bees want a home that feels secure. A large, open entrance is a liability, allowing robbers, pests, and cold drafts to enter.
An ideal entrance is a small hole about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. This is easy for the colony to guard. If using a standard hive body, you can use an entrance reducer or tack a small piece of wood over the main entrance with a hole drilled in it.
Understanding the Trade-offs and Pitfalls
While the goal is to attract bees, doing so requires balancing effectiveness with safety and managing expectations.
Old Comb Carries Risks
Old brood comb is a fantastic attractant, but it can also be a vector for disease. Spores for devastating brood diseases like American Foulbrood (AFB) can remain viable in old comb for decades.
Never use old equipment from an unknown source. Only use old comb from your own hives that you know to be disease-free.
Bait Hives vs. Your Apiary
Do not place your bait hive in the middle of your main apiary (bee yard). Established hives may see the bait hive as a target for robbing.
Place bait hives at the edge of your property or in a separate, suitable location. The goal is to catch a feral swarm, not to encourage your own bees to move in.
Success Isn't Guaranteed
Setting up a bait hive is a game of probability and patience. Even a perfect setup may not attract a swarm in the first season.
The presence of swarms in your area ("swarm pressure") is the biggest factor. If there are no nearby colonies casting swarms, you won't catch anything. Refresh your lures every few weeks and be prepared to wait.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Once you understand the principles, you can tailor your approach based on your resources and risk tolerance.
- If your primary focus is maximizing attraction: Use a frame of old, dark brood comb from a trusted source combined with a few drops of lemongrass oil inside a 40-liter box.
- If your primary focus is biosecurity: Forgo the old comb and use a new hive body, coat the inside generously with melted beeswax, and use a lemongrass oil lure.
By creating a home that meets a swarm's instinctual needs, you are not just setting a trap, but actively participating in the fascinating natural process of colony reproduction.
Summary Table:
| Key Factor | Ideal Condition | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Scent Lure | Beeswax, Propolis, Lemongrass Oil | Mimics natural pheromones, signaling a safe, established home. |
| Hive Volume | ~40 liters (Standard 10-frame deep) | Provides ideal space for colony growth and honey storage. |
| Location Height | 10-15 feet off the ground | Offers protection from predators and ground moisture. |
| Entrance Size | 1 to 1.5-inch diameter hole | Creates a small, defensible entrance for colony security. |
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