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Catching bees - what is important?

A swarm is always found around the queen. If you have found a swarm in the garden or in another area and want to relocate it, you need the most important basics for this. These are:

• Vessel for the swarm
• Water sprayer
• Retention accessories
• Attractant
• Artificial swarm box

It is important to know that you can either catch a swarm with queen bee or you can catch an artificial swarm. When catching with queen bees, you have the advantage that the queen is the attractant.

Often the swarms settle in difficult places. Here only attractants help. However, if you have a swarm nearby that can be easily picked, beehives are sufficient.

Then proceed in several steps:

1. Wet the swarm. The bees will move together and be easier to pick.
2. Open the beehive and pass it over the swarm.
3. Shake the branches or twigs and make sure that as many bees as possible fall into it.
4. Once the queen bee is in the basket, you can close the lid.
5. The queen cannot escape through the small opening, but the bees can get to her.
6. Now wait for a while and watch how the bees move into the basket.
7. You can now move the swarm.

Why is a swarm captured?

A swarm is a whole colony of bees that goes in search of a dwelling place on its own. This is also referred to as wild bees. The dwelling place for the swarms can be in the city or in the countryside. However, especially in the city there are some problems. For example, the swarms nest in sheds or house areas and must be removed here. However, it is also not easy, especially for the bees, to collect enough honey in the city. The swarms cannot overwinter and die quickly.

Therefore, in the apiary they are captured and relocated. The relocation can be to new hives, but also to a place in nature. The goal is to help the swarms survive. It is important to know that you must not attract the bees with used hives. Empty and used hives seem to be an optimal choice. However, they must not be used. The basis for this is the bee disease regulation. Thus, it is necessary to reduce the spread of foul broods and therefore swarms may only be brought in with new swarm attraction boxes.

• wild swarms are caught in order to be able to relocate them
• Beekeepers increase the number of their colonies with swarm trapping
• for swarm catching fresh hives are needed

What do I need for the artificial swarm?

Today, artificial swarm boxes are used more than beehives. The reason for this is that an artificial swarm is easier to assemble. It is usually kept without a queen for a while. However, this also means that you capture the swarm without a queen. Therefore, you need significantly more tools here than is the case with a complete bee swarm with queen.

We have various artificial swarm boxes in our range. These are already designed to provide an optimal basis for the first time of the bees. Depending on your plans, you can also opt for designs with a carrying handle. Swarm catcher bags and sweep-in funnels further facilitate the process.

Use pheromones and attractants

Observations show that wild bee swarms repeatedly nest where other bees have previously had their brood. This is due to the attractants and pheromones that can still be smelled here. You can use the process especially well for yourself if you also work with pheromones or swarm attractants. We at Beekeeping Professional have a selection of pheromones from queen bees and various swarm attractants on offer. Sprays and gels have the advantage that they can be distributed very well in the swarm boxes and are also very productive.

The first bees will find their way into the swarms via the attractants and form the basis for building up an artificial swarm. They can also supplement a queen bee later.

Incidentally, honeycombs from other swarms have also proven effective for trapping. Note, however, that pests can also be passed on via the combs.

Find baskets and swarms easily online

Capturing bee swarms and building artificial swarms is one of the factors that some beekeepers use to relocate colonies or create new colonies. For this purpose, there are various tools that we at Beekeeping Professional provide in our online store. Through years of experience of our experts in beekeeping, we know different options for catching swarms. The beehive is a classic that is rarely used anymore, but it is quite effective. However, you may prefer to work with swarm trap boxes. We will be happy to answer your questions about beehives and artificial swarms as well as the right attractants. Just browse through our assortment and get a first overview.