HowToCatchA SwarmUsing Buckets

Take 2 plastic buckets and cut a large matching hole in the bottom of each. Using screen wire, preferably 1/8” hardware cloth, and install between the buckets. I cut a piece of 1” board that would fit inside the bottom lip of the bucket, then cut the hole in the wood matching the hole in the bucket.Basically, just a mounting ring to staple the wire to and fill the gap between the bucket .Screw the buckets together from both sides.

Next, take 1 lid and cut a large hole in it and attach a screen over the hole.

The other lid leave solid.

Hold buckets under main swarm body and shake into bucket. Put solid lid on this side immediately.Turn buckets up so open bucket is pointing up.The queen will be captured in the bottom bucket and cannot escape.

The other bees will smell the queen and start to enter the open bucket.I puffed a little smoke to get the rest of them off the sides and into the bucket.Put solid lid on and leave with swarm.

You now have a swarm in 2 buckets connected together.

Dump the queen side first into new hive and allow them to descend.Then empty the other side to allow the rest of the bees to enter your hive.

This bucket system will allow you to carry a swarm removal tool without worrying about wax melting in a swarm box during the summer.

Happy Swarm Catching!!