In swarm season (in ireland that's mostly at the end of May, into June - though I've had swarms as early as April and as late as September) beekeepers often put out 'bait hives'. These are regular hives (or smaller nucs) with empty frames in. When scout bees (see more here) are on the lookout for new accomodation, placing a lovely hive all ready for them to move in may be just the thing to tempt them.
Bait hives are exactly like regular hives but are often sited slightly higher (on a box) to make them easier to find.
Bait hives are exactly like regular hives but are often sited slightly higher (on a box) to make them easier to find.
Beekeeper kit!
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The tall hive has three supers stacked on top of the brood box (a good year for us). The hive in the foreground is a recently-caught swarm, so only just building up its numbers. Probably no honey from them this year, but next year...
