Many farmers find challenges in trapping swarms due to lack of the technical know how of how the process is done.
When catching honey bees, use the right size swarm traps ie most successful traps should be between 35 and 60 litres in volume, should prevent entry of rain and sunshine and the entrance should be between 1.5 to 2 square inches. Use swarm traps that have frames because this makes it easier to transfer the bees from the trap into the main hive.
Other tips
Use old bee equipment which has the smell of bees because bees like the smell of bees.
Location of the trap is important ie locate the trap in a place that has resources that bees will often be in search of for example water, garden plants or even other apiaries.
Make sure your swarm traps are accessible to the bees. Do not hide the traps in thick shrubs where bees cant access them.
Hang your trap on a firm tree and not onto a tree that is going to always be moved around by wind.
Ensure your traps are fastened firm enough on the tree branch.
Incase you can, face your swarm trap in the south or south East direction and the results will be better.
Bait your swarm trap with lemon grass oil or using other baits available.
If you have a spot that often catches swarms then always put your swarm traps at that spot because success brings success.
