Ya,my swarm traps I made from instructions supplied by a beekeeper from our club via the internet. It's a good swarm trap but does have a lot of recommended space below the frames. That whole space was filled with comb on one of them. I had no idea how long the trap had bees in it as my scouting didn't reveal a whole lot of activity when I visited it. Boy, did I get fooled. One swarm I captured ,which was a very good one, was with a 10 frame medium that I sat about 150 yards from the hives on a stand about eye level by my driveway. That one was easy cause I just had to set it on a stand in the Apiary.
Yesterday, I made up more sugar bricks. I'd like to check the food status in the hives today since it will be warm but we have our monthly beekeeper's meeting today so might not have much time when I get back home. What a deal we get for our $15 yearly dues. Each meeting they have door prizes and so many that mostly everybody has a very good chance of winning.I have come away with anything from a hive tool to boxes,frames and everything related to a beehive colony. Also at the meeting,all the woman and some men bring covered dishes of food and a whole hour before the meeting is devoted to eating some good groceries. At the end of the year,we have a big shindig with catering service of fine foods at a local catering hall devoted only to us. The meals are such that it would probably cost at least $50 a plate. Again, they have really expensive door prizes supplied by major beekeeping supply stores. My last banquet, I came away with about $300 worth of bee equipment. The best part of this club,my wife and I made some very good friends.All the members are really nice people so we love going to the meeting just to be social and good conversations.
