Swarm lure (pheromones)

Apply a commercial swarm lure containing synthetic Nasonov pheromone and queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) inside your swarm trap to attract scout bees. Place the lure near the entrance or on the inner wall of the trap. Replace lures every 2-3 weeks as pheromone potency drops significantly after that period.

Why It Works

Scout bees searching for new nest sites rely heavily on pheromone signals. Synthetic lures replicate the chemical signatures — primarily geraniol, citral, and geranic acid — that indicate a desirable cavity. Research by Tom Seeley at Cornell found that traps with pheromone lures attract swarms at roughly twice the rate of unbaited traps, particularly where natural tree cavities compete for swarm attention.

Tips

• Combine with old brood comb for a synergistic effect that can increase capture rates significantly
• Store unused lures in a sealed freezer bag to preserve pheromone potency
• Position the lure out of direct sunlight inside the trap, as heat accelerates pheromone degradation