A bottom mount pollen trap is a specialized collection device positioned directly between the hive's bottom board and the lower brood boxes, designed specifically for colonies utilizing a standard bottom entrance. It allows beekeepers to collect pollen via a sliding tray accessible from the side or rear, and features a mechanism to toggle collection on or off without removing the unit from the hive.
Core Takeaway The bottom mount trap is the industry standard for convenience, offering a "permanent installation" design that allows you to switch between collecting and non-collecting modes instantly. However, this ease of use comes with a trade-off: because it sits at the bottom of the stack, the pollen is more susceptible to mixing with falling hive debris than in top-mounted alternatives.
Structural Integration and Placement
The Vertical Position
This specific trap is engineered to sit at the base of your hive stack. It is installed underneath the hive boxes but remains above the bottom board.
Entrance Compatibility
Because it is situated at the bottom, this trap is compatible with the natural behavior of bees in standard hives. It utilizes the existing bottom entrance, eliminating the need to train bees to use alternative entry points.
Collection Accessibility
The unit features a sliding collection tray. This drawer can typically be removed from the back or the side of the trap, allowing you to harvest pollen without dismantling the hive or disturbing the bees.
Operational Mechanics
The Stripping Mechanism
The core function relies on a wire screen or grid. As foraging bees enter the hive, they must squeeze through holes specifically sized to be passable for the bee but too narrow for the pollen pellets on their hind legs.
The Capture System
When the pollen is dislodged by the grid, it falls through a screen into the collection tray below. This physical separation prevents the bees from re-accessing the pollen once it has been stripped.
Toggle Functionality
A defining characteristic of the bottom mount trap is its versatility. Once installed, it can be left on the hive permanently. When you wish to stop collecting pollen, you simply adjust the mechanism (often a lever or slide) to bypass the stripping grid, allowing bees free entry.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Debris Challenge
Because gravity pulls waste downward, bottom mount traps are prone to collecting hive debris. Wax cappings, bee parts, and other refuse naturally fall from the brood boxes into the pollen tray. While most designs include a diversion board to minimize this, the pollen is generally less clean than that from top-mounted traps.
Installation Effort
While the trap is easy to operate once in place, the initial installation is physically demanding. Because it goes at the bottom of the stack, you must lift the entire weight of the hive boxes to insert the trap.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To determine if a bottom mount trap is the correct tool for your apiary, consider your primary objective:
- If your primary focus is convenience and flexibility: Choose the bottom mount trap. Its ability to be turned on and off without uninstalling the unit makes it ideal for intermittent trapping.
- If your primary focus is pollen purity: Be prepared for extra processing. You will likely need to clean the harvest more thoroughly to remove the debris common to bottom-positioned traps.
Select this trap if you prioritize a workflow where the equipment remains integrated with the hive year-round.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Installation Position | Located between the bottom board and brood boxes |
| Collection Method | Side or rear sliding tray for easy access without hive disassembly |
| Switch Mechanism | Toggle lever/slide to enable or disable collection instantly |
| Entrance Type | Uses standard bottom entrance; no bee re-training required |
| Pollen Purity | Moderate (may require cleaning due to falling hive debris) |
| Durability | Permanent installation design for year-round use |
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