Episode Details

This week we talk about one of the most exciting opportunities in beekeeping: catching free honey bees with swarm traps. We walk through how swarms form, how simple traps attract scout bees looking for a new home, and how this method can help you grow your apiary without buying packages. I also share a personal story about salvaging a massive swarm and discuss the advantages and risks of bringing unknown colonies into your apiary.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• How swarming works and why colonies naturally split when they run out of space

• What a swarm trap is and how it mimics a safe new home for scout bees

• A real story about a massive swarm cluster and how swarm lure helped bring them into a hive

• Practical swarm trap placement tips including height, visibility, and general location

• Why larger traps can help prevent newly captured swarms from leaving again

• The benefits of catching free colonies and the potential disease or genetics risks to consider

• What to do after capturing a swarm including feeding, giving space, and treating for varroa

Why Listen to This Episode?

If you want to grow your apiary without spending hundreds of dollars on new bees, swarm traps can be a powerful tool. In this episode we walk through the basics so you can start thinking about placing traps and possibly catching free colonies in your area.

More Info:

🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org

☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

Additional Resources:

Jeff Horchoff YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JeffHorchoff

Swarm Trap in 60 Seconds: https://youtu.be/Wfy3ybL3PJM

Pill Bottle Swarm Trap: https://youtu.be/jtbc8OJpTs0

Full Swarm Trap Build: https://youtu.be/uksabwBuzlE

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 700,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.