4/14/2024
I guess this posts really should date back to the 5th, but I would probably get confused. After a slow start, we started getting more swarm traps set out.
Camden County
Our trip to Camden County was a lot of fun. The first stop was a location that I had not been to for at least 25 years and probably more than that. We had clear directions via Linda’s iPhone which got us in the general area. We had hoped to use mailbox numbers to get us to the house, but they were somewhat lacking. After some confusion, we finally got to the right place. The owners had planned on being there, but they got held up in Jeff City with a gymnastics competition for one of their grandkids.
Anyway, this might likely be a hot spot for us this year. I noticed several types of yellow flowers – including dandelions – that already has a lot of bee activity.
After looking around, we found what we hope to be the perfect place. It was accessible for us, close to multiple water sources, in the open while still in the shade at least part of the day. Oh yes, the location is on 40 acres.
Close to this location was a bush with red flowers covered in bees. We didn’t recognize it and the owners didn’t know what is was either.
The image doesn’t do the plant justice. The flowers were great. The owners called us back and said it was probably a fire bush.
The second stop was back to my brother’s place where we hung a trap last year. After a delicious late lunch/early supper we hung the trap.
The box is a one we built this year. Linda dubbed it the “Three Little Birds.”
This time we chose a location that was more open than last year. I know there are bees in the area, so we hope to grab at least one swarm from here.
Boone County
After a couple of missteps, we finally got a box hung in Boone County. It took two tries.
The plan was to simply replace the box that was already there with a newly baited box, using the same strap. Over the course of time, the tree grew around the strap which meant I had to cut it out. We didn’t have a spare with us – lesson learned.
We went to Lowe’s to get some more. They weren’t readily available. In took 20 plus minutes to find them and by then we were late for another appointment. The kicker is the straps were 6 feet long instead of 10, so they a sort of useless. Unfortunately, to get them out I destroyed the packaging they came in.
After getting new straps from Amazon, we tried again.
This is also a new location. It is close to a water source and is across from a clover field.
Callaway County
My grandson and I went to the location in Callaway County to replace the box there with a new one. Linda dubbed it the “Birch Tree Box” and unfortunately I don’t have a good closeup picture of it. But I hope this picture gives you the idea.
This is also a new location that will give us better access to the trap.
Home
Yesterday after bumping into traps one time too many, I put a couple of them outside in a flower bed that hasn’t been worked on this year. Within a few minutes, they had scout bees all over them. I don’t know if it will really attract a swarm, but for now they aren’t going anywhere.
Of course, when the picture is taken, the bees aren’t there.
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