After the winter of 2016, when inspecting the original two hives, I had concluded: Hive 1 (the one I re-queened with an Italian) died and Hive 2 (the Carniolans) absconded. So in May 2017, when we noticed the swarm just above the old hives (in the pines), it gave me hope that at least one of my original hives may have figured out where to hang out for the winter. The swarm stayed for just a few hours, then off they went.

Then, in July, I noticed that one of the new hives was doing really well. I added  a super but by late morning, while I was mowing the lawn, another swarm! I had been mowing the dry field and kicking dust all around when the swarm came charging out. It was definitely a sight to be seen. The swarm settled in one of the nearby firs.  I wanted to catch it, but had no intention of climbing up the tree. So, instead, in a really weak attempt to coax them into a new home, I assembled one of the hives from last year just under the swarm. I then sprinkled on some lemon oil and included a frame of drawn comb. But, as soon as the sun hit the tree’s edge, the swarm, took off. My hope is that they found a good home.

And, that is when I got the swarm trap. It’s installed in the same fir tree as this second swarm. All in all, I think it’s a pretty feeble attempt at catching a swarm, but perhaps it’ll come in handy for the 2018 season.