Yesterday I baited every empty hive I have in hopes that this year bees will find me, as they do most years. Here's the recipe for almost-never-fail swarm lure:
1 square inch cube of beeswas
1/4 cup olive oil
15 - 20 drops of lemongrass oil.
Put the oil in a glass container and drop in the beeswax cube:
I make the lure in the container that I will put in my hive tool kit.
If it needs stirring, I use a tongue depressor or a chopstick.
Let it cool a bit before adding the lemongrass oil so it doesn't immediately evaporate. I have my container sitting on a piece of marble which cools it off quickly. After 3 - 4 minutes, then I add the lemongrass oil.
Now smear it on the hive at the upper edge of the entrance, around the inner cover, and on the tops of a few frames.
And wait for scout bees to find your hive and entice their sisters to move in!
Here's how to apply the swarm lure for greatest effectiveness.
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