How can I attract a swarm?

[John]

I would like to become a beekeeper and I have built a top bar hive, but so far no swarm has moved in.

Is there a way to prepare the hive in a way that will attract swarms?

Where should I place the hive to attract swarms?

John

[idrisbee]

john,you need to bait your hive with beeswax for you to attract swarms or if you cannot get beeswax go for lemon grass

[adamd]

Yes, old comb is the most attractive thing for bees if you can get it. Generally the darker the better. Some beeswax/newer comb is also useful. The top bar hive should not be too close to an existing hive also. The entrance should be quite small. If you have a solid floor, that's best as it means the hive is dark and well protected, rather than a mesh floor which we often use in the UK.

[rogerpatterson1]

John,

I only have experience of English conditions, but I guess it's the same everywhere.

In general bees prefer somewhere to build their nest that suits them and this includes:-

A cavity that is about the right size and I guess your TBH is probably about right.

Somewhere bees have been before, so preferably with old comb. If your hive has not been used that is why beeswax has been suggested.

Somewhere they can defend easily, so the entrance should be small, perhaps no larger than 25mm x 50mm.

This should give you reasonable success, but of course you will need to be in an area where there are bees that are likely to swarm.

Roger Patterson.

[oreyemi]

If you are in africa, then the best means is to bait and wait. swarming occur mosr around august-october here in Nigeria. so we all do most baiting that time. if there is ferral colony around you can trap them and introduce to your hive. but you have to be strong will to do it though its simple. good luck

[thethy]

I use old comb for my baiting regularly and it works