Pheromone-induced sticky traps serve a critical post-operation safety function. Their primary purpose is to capture returning forager bees, often called "stragglers," that drift back to the original hive location after the main colony has been removed. By effectively trapping these displaced insects, the devices reduce the local bee population and mitigate the risk of stings to people in the vicinity.
Removing a hive disrupts the colony structure, leaving behind foragers who return to find their home and queen missing. Deploying sticky traps is a necessary measure to contain these highly aggressive stragglers and ensure public safety at the removal site.
Managing Post-Removal Colony Dynamics
Dealing with the "Straggler" Phenomenon
When a hive is physically removed, a portion of the colony is usually out foraging in the field.
These forager bees eventually return to the specific coordinates of their original hive.
Without intervention, these stragglers will congregate at the site, creating a lingering hazard even after the main comb and bees are gone.
The Risk of Heightened Aggression
The primary reason for trapping these specific bees is behavioral.
The primary reference notes that returning bees have suddenly lost their queen and hive structure.
This disorientation often results in high aggression, making these bees significantly more dangerous to bystanders than a calm, established colony.
How the Mechanism Works
Composition and Lure
The traps are typically constructed from cardboard that has been heavily coated with a strong adhesive.
To ensure effectiveness, they utilize pheromone lures to actively draw bees toward the surface.
This baiting strategy ensures that bees are attracted to the trap rather than drifting aimlessly around the property.
Population Reduction
The physical mechanism is simple: bees land on the adhesive and are instantly immobilized.
This method effectively reduces the remaining bee population at the site hour by hour.
By clearing the area of these aggressive remnants, the site is rendered safe for the public much faster than if the bees were left to disperse naturally.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Lethal Control vs. Conservation
It is important to recognize that sticky traps are a method of lethal control for the remaining foragers.
While the main hive may have been relocated live, the priority for stragglers shifts to immediate neutralization due to their aggressive state.
This is a safety compromise necessary to prevent attacks on humans or pets in the immediate aftermath of a removal.
Scope of Effectiveness
These traps are localized tools designed specifically for the immediate hive footprint.
They are effective for catching returning foragers but do not address bees that may have swarmed to a nearby branch or secondary location.
Ensuring Site Safety After Removal
The use of pheromone traps is the final step in a professional removal process, bridging the gap between physical extraction and a fully safe environment.
- If your primary focus is Public Safety: Deploy traps immediately to neutralize aggressive foragers that could harm residents or passersby.
- If your primary focus is Professional Completeness: Use these devices to prevent "callbacks" caused by lingering bees that make the removal look unsuccessful.
By managing the aggressive behavior of displaced foragers, you ensure the removal process is truly complete and safe for everyone involved.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Target | Returning forager bees ("stragglers") |
| Mechanism | Cardboard coated with strong adhesive and pheromone lures |
| Core Function | Immediate neutralization of aggressive, queenless bees |
| Safety Benefit | Reduces local bee population and risk of stings to bystanders |
| Operational Goal | Prevents "callbacks" and ensures the site is 100% cleared |
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References
- Michael K. O’Malley, Jamie Ellis. Choosing the Right Pest Control Operator for Honey Bee Removal: A Consumer Guide. DOI: 10.32473/edis-in771-2008
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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