Greetings to all from Mexico !
 
There are just tremendous numbers of swarms in this part of Mexico, since
there are many beekeepers, many feral colonies and ALL africanized (the
swarm more often).
 
I believe this could be an easy way to improve our colony numbers, since we
could handle an extra 200-300 colonies.  So I am planning to set 200 swarm
traps next month.  I will buy cardboard boxes about the size of a normal
hive box and platic boxes to cover them.  I will then make a whole on the
bottom of the box and hang this traps on the roads and near my apiaries to
recatch my own bees.
 
I have asked the manufacturer (PheroTech) for information on the swarm lures
that are supposed to attract swarms by freeing a Queen feromone. Is this
atractant worthy?  I have also heard that lemon-grass (that's how it is
called in spanish: Pasto de limsn) can be put inside the trap as an
atractant. Are there any other natural attractans?
 
Another question: Should the boxes be empty? Should I put a frame of
foundation? Should I put old frames in the box?
 
I will thank very much any information or comments on how I can do this
correctly.
 
(please forgive my english grammar)
 
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           Luis Rommel Beutelspacher
   (\      Maya Honey S.A. de C.V.
 -{|||8-   Ticul, Yucatan, Mixico.
   (/      Tel/Fax (997) 20715
           [log in to unmask]
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