Old comb in swarm traps

Place 2-3 frames of old dark brood comb inside your swarm trap as a natural attractant. The darker the comb, the more effective — comb that has been through several brood cycles carries the strongest residual scent. Secure the comb inside the trap so it does not shift or fall during wind.

Why It Works

Old brood comb contains embedded propolis, beeswax esters, and residual pheromones that signal to scout bees the cavity was previously inhabited and is a proven nesting site. Bees strongly prefer cavities with these chemical traces over clean, unscented boxes. Studies on feral colony nest selection consistently show scouts favoring cavities that carry prior bee-related odors.

Tips

• Use comb from healthy colonies only — discard any comb from hives that had American foulbrood (AFB) to avoid disease transmission
• A single frame of old comb can be as effective as a commercial lure, making this a zero-cost alternative
• Store spare old comb in a freezer to kill wax moth eggs and preserve scent for future swarm seasons