Simple and Homemade Implements to Make Swarm Catching Easier and More Versatile

Compared to the cost of a three-pound package of bees, the loss of a large swarm is easily around $200. Most swarms will not land low on a branch as in Figure 1. Even when it does happen, hiving some swarms still requires careful thought before disturbing the cluster (see Figure 2). I want to be able to retrieve swarms from most any bivouac site. Except for a long extension ladder, I keep these special swarm-catching implements packed on the bee truck for quick action.
These implements are practical, easy-to-make, and inexpensive. In addition to a spare (8-frame) one-story hive kept on the bee truck during swarm season, I have a specially prepared cardboard box for retrieving swarms. When a swarm cluster cannot be easily shaken into the open top of a frame hive, because it is too awkward or heavy to handle (one-handed), I use the cardboard box. These swarm-retrieval boxes can be customized to a beekeeper’s preferences. Here is how I make mine, which of course changes as I find better materials and methods for construction.
Choose a clean box about the size of a standard-frame brood chamber (deep super) or a little smaller. That size box should be easy to handle on a ladder, or cradle in one arm. On a ladder, if I need to drop it to keep my balance, then there is hardly any damage, not like a wooden nuc box. Recently, I found that sturdy shipping boxes with thicker sides for transporting heavy articles make good swarm-retrieval boxes too.
The box needs some simple modification before using it to reliably retrieve swarms. Bees can become trapped and crushed between the box’s flaps. I tend not to use these flaps. From the inside, check the bottom flaps …