Swarm traps - anyone with any experience?

Hi everyone,

Does anyone here have any experience with a baited swarm trap and can provide some hints and tips for a novice beekeeper? I'm thinking of setting up some swarm traps so as to start up some new hives for next spring.

As a bit of background, there are feral European honey bees in my area. I'm Down Under so there is no varroa mite present and the feral colonies seem reasonably healthy and active.

Thanks for any and all assistance.

do a search for "Seeley bait hives." you'll likely come across a pdf of a bulletin published by Cornell University. lots of good tips in there.

one thing not mentioned there is propolis tincture as a swarm lure. I paint the walls of my bait hives with it if they haven't been previously occupied.