Swarming for bees can be made on your own. A number of requirements are imposed on this design. She has a certain device, and she can be made in different ways. After manufacturing, the swarm must be painted, properly filled and properly installed.
Bee trap requirements
Swarms for bees may differ in design features and materials of execution, but the requirements for them are the same:
- sufficient capacity: the swarm must accommodate a swarm of any strength, the optimal volume is 40-80 liters;
- strength;
- tightness - the mood of the bees inside the swarms is far from favorable, so they should not accidentally get outside;
- convenience of design - the lid is of particular importance, which should have been easy to open and close;
- free flow of fresh air;
- lightness of construction - it may be necessary to lift it on a pole to remove the swarm, which is very difficult and dangerous with a large weight of the trap.
Swarm device
The swarm can be a box or a basket. It is used for catching swarms or temporary placement of insects during various jobs in the apiary.
The cover of the swarm is fully or partially made of mesh - this provides excellent ventilation. A sufficient supply of fresh air also allows the bees to cool down faster, after which they calm down.
The swarm is a mobile structure, therefore it is usually equipped with a belt or carrying handle. The average volume of a universal device is 60 liters. For small swarms, you can make a structure for 20-30 liters. The finished swarm should weigh no more than 2 kg.
DIY options for making a swarm for bees
It is not difficult to make a swarm on your own. Materials for this design are available, and there are several options.
Plywood
Plywood is one of the common, inexpensive and affordable materials for making swarms. In addition to her, you need to prepare a few more materials and tools:
- slats;
- fine-mesh metal mesh;
- mosquito net (can be replaced with durable small tulle);
- screws;
- screwdriver (you can do with a drill);
- small nails (preferably boot nails) and a hammer;
- Bulgarian.
The use of plywood for swarming allows the construction to be carried out in any size. The following parameters are optimal:
- side walls (2 parts) - 0.3x0.45 m;
- front wall - 0.35x0.2 m;
- bottom - 0.35x0.45 m;
- cover - 0.2x0.45 m.
The swarm is made according to the following algorithm:
- Cut out parts of the desired size from plywood.
- Reinforce the bottom and cover of the structure with slats.
- Attach the side walls of the swarm to the slats. This should be done with screws.
- Run the entrance.
The mesh can be secured in different ways. One of the options is the front wall in the form of two frames, one of which will open. Another option is to cover the hole previously made in the lid with a net. Use small nails to secure the mesh.
You can also use glue or liquid nails to fasten the parts of the swarm. In this case, it is especially important to ventilate the swarm.
The finished structure should be equipped with a strap to make it easy to carry. The belt must be of high quality, as well as its fastening, otherwise the swarm can be dropped at a crucial moment.
From expanded polystyrene
The advantages of using expanded polystyrene are its environmental friendliness, air and moisture resistance. This material is lighter than plywood and has no risk of mold formation. He is not afraid of birds and rodents.
There are few disadvantages of expanded polystyrene. One of them is the possibility of excess condensate accumulation in the structure. This problem is solved by making additional holes. Another disadvantage is the risk of damage. They can be mechanical or due to sunlight.
To make a swarm of expanded polystyrene, you need to prepare the following materials and tools:
- sheet expanded polystyrene, optimal thickness - 30 mm;
- self-tapping screws;
- screwdriver;
- glue and liquid nails;
- pencil with ruler.
The algorithm for making expanded polystyrene swarms is as follows:
- Cut out the necessary parts from the polystyrene foam. These are two sidewalls 0.51x0.35 m, the bottom is 0.51x0.36 m, the cover is of the same dimensions, the front part is 0.3x0.35 m and the rear wall is of the same size.
- Fasten the main parts of the swarm, except for the cover.
- Make a recess around the hole for the cover. It is enough to deepen it by half a centimeter, and make it 3 cm wide.
- Fix the cover with self-tapping screws.
- Run a small square notch. Provide an attachment for the mesh covering it.
- Mount for carrying. If you use a belt, then it must be run along the bottom of the structure, since the material is fragile.
Roevnya Butlerova
This type of construction is quite popular in beekeeping. The swarm is made using the following materials and tools:
- thin sheet plywood;
- jigsaw (you can use a hacksaw or circular saw);
- construction stapler (staple gun);
- bolts or other fasteners;
- canvas;
- wire mesh;
- handle (can be replaced with a hook or loop).
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Soak plywood in water. It is enough to hold her for a day.
- Cut out the body of the swarm. It is a meter strip of plywood with a width of 0.4-0.45 m.
- Cut two hoops out of plywood. These are meter strips 3 cm wide.
- Fix the lower hoop with a stapler, stepping back 5 cm from the edge of the sheet for the body (as much as possible).
- Fix the upper hoop with a stapler overlap with the edge of the body sheet.
- Cut another narrow strip out of the plywood. Fix it with a stapler perpendicular to the hoops of the structure. This strip will act as a handle.
- Cover the bottom of the swarm with canvas. Secure it with a stapler.
- Cut a strip from the plywood for the cover of the structure. Fix it with a bolt (hairpin) - this ensures the mobility of the part.
- Place wire mesh over the fixed cover segment.
- Lower the movable element, tighten it.
- Fasten a carrying handle on the side of the case - the movable cover should be on the opposite side.
All parts must be connected tightly without gaps. It is recommended to make a preliminary drawing of the structure.
Swarm painting
The manufactured structure must be painted. You should use oil paints for this. This coating protects the swarm from moisture, harmful effects of sunlight.
Painting the swarm also provides its disguise. To do this, choose green or brown.
It is not recommended to use quick-drying paints. Fast drying is provided by special additives, the smell of which lasts for a long time. The disadvantage of such a coating is also the rapid development of cracks.
The swarm should be painted only on the outside. Such a coating from the inside will be an obstacle to the penetration of air and moisture, and even small temperature fluctuations will provoke the accumulation of condensation.
It is not recommended to use the swarm after painting for several months. The optimal period is six months. During this time, the smell of paint will disappear completely.
Filling the swarm
Before using the swarm for its intended purpose, several more preparatory measures are necessary. A dry tree gives off an odor that is unpleasant for bees, so when it rains, an open structure must be placed outside.
Inside, the swarm must be rubbed with plants attractive to insects. It can be blackcurrant leaf, lemon balm. The following processing is also effective:
- broken queen cells or wax - process the heated walls of the swarm;
- alcohol solution of propolis - apply to the edges of the walls;
- pine resin (dissolve with ether) - processing of wooden frame elements;
- wax or honey - rub the entrance together with the edge.
The standard material must be placed inside the swarm:
- waxed frames for combing honeycombs;
- frame with food: honey, bee bread, dry;
- empty frames.
Swarm installation
Properly made and prepared swarm must be properly installed. Before that, it is necessary to organize the observation of the swarm, the capture of which is planned. If bees constantly congregate in a certain place, then the trap should be located there. In other cases, you need to choose a site with honey plants nearby.
The installation of the swarm is carried out according to certain rules:
- the presence of a river or other body of water nearby;
- distance from apiaries at least 1-1.5 km;
- hang the swarm on a strong branch - the height is no more than 7 m, preferably 2.5-4 m;
- to raise the trap to a tree, use a rope by throwing it over the desired branch;
- fasten the structure so that it fits securely, but can be quickly removed if necessary;
- deciduous trees are also suitable for installing a swarm, but it is better to choose spruce or pine;
- position the structure in the shade;
- the notch should be facing south;
- access to the swarm should be free, not cluttered with branches;
- provide bait in the trap;
- there should not be a power line nearby;
- you can not set a trap on the road, but you can near it.
Swarm is a necessary device in an apiary. You can make it on your own in different variations - in any case, the technology is simple, and the materials are cheap and affordable. After manufacturing, the swarm must be painted and properly filled. The important point is to correctly set the trap.