Apimaye
Apimaye Insulated 7-Frame Nuc with Core Frames, Tan
- Frames
- 7
- Boxes
- Nucleus box
- Material
- Insulated plastic
Best for Splits, swarms and overwintering nucs
How to handle swarm season
Swarm season is the stretch of spring when strong colonies raise new queens and half the bees leave with the old one. You can work it two ways: prevent your own colonies from swarming, and catch swarms, yours or anyone else's, to start new hives for free. This page groups gear tagged for both: swarm lures, catching cages, nuc boxes, queen-rearing cups and double screen boards for splits.
Hives & kits
Bountiful Bees
Bountiful Bees Bee Bait Swarm Lure, 1 oz Dropper
- Type
- Synthetic Nasonov pheromone lure
- Size
- 1 oz dropper bottle
- Shelf life
- Up to 2 years (maker)
Best for Baiting swarm traps in spring
Haosie
Haosie Bee Swarm Catching Cage
- Material
- PU leather, cloth, 3-layer steel wire
- Use
- Pole-mounted swarm catcher
- Closure
- Tie-closed bottom
Best for Catching swarms from trees and bushes
Hilitand
Hilitand Bee Swarm Catching Cage
- Material
- Fabric with 3-layer steel wire
- Use
- Pole-mounted swarm catcher
- Closure
- Tie-closed bottom
Best for Reaching swarms in trees
Hoover Hives
Hoover Hives 10-Frame Wax-Coated Starter, 5 Frames
- Frames
- 10-frame box, 5 frames included
- Boxes
- 1 deep
- Finish
- Wax-coated
Best for Installing a purchased nuc
Nizefei
NIZEFEI 4-Frame Foam Queen Mating Nuc
- Frames
- 4 mini
- Material
- High-density foam
- Use
- Queen mating nuc
Best for Raising your own queens
Swarm Commander
Swarm Commander Premium Swarm Lure, 2 oz Spray
- Type
- Synthetic Nasonov pheromone
- Size
- 2 oz spray bottle
- Shelf life
- 2 years minimum (maker)
Best for Baiting swarm traps
Swarm Sauce
Swarm Sauce Swarm Lure, 2 oz Dropper
- Type
- Synthetic Nasonov pheromone
- Size
- 2 oz dropper
- Made in
- USA
Best for Catching spring swarms
Frames & foundation
Backyardfarm
BackyardFarm Double Screen Board, 8-Frame, 2 Pack
- Size
- 8-frame
- Material
- Pine, made in USA
- Count
- 2
Best for Splits and swarm control
Hive tools & smokers
Jzbz
JZBZ Queen Rearing Kit, 60 Cell Cups
- Material
- Plastic
- Includes
- 2 side bars, 4 cell bars, 60 queen cell cups
Best for Raising queens for splits
Preventing swarms
Crowding is the main trigger. UF IFAS ENY-160 Swarm Control for Managed Beehives and Utah State Extension describe the main tools: add space before the brood nest fills, and split strong colonies.
- Add boxes early once bees cover most frames in the top box.
- Check for queen cells on frame bottoms every 7–10 days in spring; see how to inspect a beehive.
- Split: move the old queen with some brood and bees into a nuc box. A double screen board (BackyardFarm, 8-frame) lets you stack a split above the parent colony.
- Raise queens: a cell-cup kit (JZBZ, 60 cups) is a next step once you know your colonies.
Full method: how to prevent swarms.
Catching swarms
Swarm gear in our catalogue
| Item | Listed spec | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Swarm Commander | 2 oz spray, synthetic Nasonov pheromone | Bait a trap or empty box |
| Swarm Science | 2 oz spray, Nasonov pheromone mimic | Bait a trap |
| Swarm Sauce | 2 oz dropper, made in USA | Bait a trap |
| Bountiful Bees Bee Bait | 1 oz dropper; up to 2 years shelf life (maker) | Bait a trap |
| Haosie / Hilitand cage | Pole-mounted, 3-layer steel wire | Collect a hanging swarm |
| Apimaye 7-frame nuc | Insulated plastic | House a caught swarm or split |
Source: Hive & Frame catalogue (maker listings)
Hang a baited box with old comb at about head height or higher, away from your own apiary, before swarm season peaks. Compare swarm traps and lures and nuc boxes, then read how to catch a swarm.
Ask before you climbOnly collect swarms where you have permission, and do not climb ladders alone. Swarms are usually calm, but wear a veil.
Where the bees go next: packages vs nucs vs swarms.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until you see queen cells to add space.
- Cutting out every queen cell without making a split; colonies often build more and swarm anyway.
- Putting a caught swarm next to your hives without a mite check; count mites a few weeks after it settles. See bee health.
- Placing traps on property you do not have permission to use.
More spring gear lives in hives and kits, and backyard and urban covers swarm etiquette with neighbors.
Read next
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Swarm season: questions
When is swarm season?
Spring into early summer in most of the US, starting earlier in the South. The seasonal calendar marks swarm checks by region.
How do you stop bees from swarming?
Give them room before the brood nest fills, check for queen cells every 7–10 days in spring and split strong colonies.
Do swarm lures work?
Lures based on Nasonov pheromone make a box more attractive to scout bees, especially combined with old comb. They improve the odds; they do not guarantee a catch.
What size box is best for a swarm trap?
Many beekeepers use a box around the size of a 10-frame deep or a 5-frame nuc with old comb inside. See best swarm traps.
What should you do if a swarm lands in your yard?
Keep people and pets back and call a local beekeeping club or swarm list; most swarms move on within a day or two.
What is a nuc?
A small colony, usually on 4 to 7 frames, used for splits, caught swarms or as a starter colony bought from a local supplier.