Honeybee Swarm Trap

Abstract

A Honeybee Swarm Trap to provide an inexpensive but sturdy bee box for keeping bees that is flexible in its application. To propagate beehives a beekeeper commonly uses a swarm catcher. These swarm catchers are placed near existing beehives, typically those naturally occurring, a swarm trap may be placed near the location of original beehive. Scout bees can visit the swarm trap and assess the trap for a swarm or propagated swarm to take up residence. Once the honeybee swarm take up residence in the swarm trap, the beekeeper can move the swarm to another location to house the honeybee colony.

Claims

1. A honeybee swarm trap comprising a honeybee trap box; a lower hinged door that opens downward; an upper hinged door that opens upward; a vent disc; an outer lid with integral hinge; an inner lid; one or more integral locking tabs; and a removable semi punch hole for an optional feeder jar.

2. A honeybee swarm trap described in claim 1 comprising the honeybee trap box that is manufactured from corrugated or polymeric material or other weather resistant material that when assembled is held in place with screws and retaining buttons on the folded corner with additional flat spring clips, screws, and buttons or sonic welds.

3. A honeybee swarm trap described in claim 1 comprising the one or more integral locking tabs comprising two integral locking tabs; an optional strap to further secure the outer lid with integral hinge; an adjustable strap buckle; a slot for locking tab; a lid locking slot; and a semi-punched kidney shaped front hole with semi punched screw holes in a front and back of the honeybee trap box.

4. A honeybee swarm trap described in claim 1 comprising one or more semi punched locking tabs; an inner lid with integral hinge]; a feeder jar spacer; an inner lid; a pre-punched feeder jar opening with fold back spacer flaps; and a threaded receiving means for the feeder jar.

5. A honeybee swarm trap described in claim 1 comprising two frame rests, one for each end of box; a pre-punched feeder hole; outer lid with integral folded collars; a semi-punched kidney shaped front hole; and a hole for securing screw.

6. A honeybee swarm trap described in claim 2 comprising the one or more integral locking tabs comprising two integral locking tabs; an optional strap to further secure the outer lid with integral hinge; an adjustable strap buckle; a slot for locking tab; a lid locking slot; and a semi-punched kidney shaped front hole with semi punched screw holes in a front and back of the honeybee trap box.

7. A honeybee swarm trap described in claim 6 comprising one or more semi punched locking tabs; an inner lid with integral hinge; a feeder jar spacer; an inner lid; a pre-punched feeder jar opening with fold back spacer flaps; and a feeder hole cap.

8. A honeybee swarm trap described in claim 7 comprising two frame rests, one for each end of box; a pre-punched feeder hole; outer lid with integral folded collars; a semi-punched kidney shaped front hole; and a hole for securing concave vent disk with securing screw.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of an embodiment of the Honeybee Swarm Trap.

[0008] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the front of an embodiment of the Honeybee Swarm Trap, with the top secured with fastening straps; FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the front of an embodiment of the Honeybee Swarm Trap with the top secured with the two securing flaps.

[0009] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the Honeybee Swarm TrapNon-Provisional Swarm Catcher B on teams. in the open position; FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the Honeybee Swarm Trap in the partially assembled position.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of an embodiment of the Honeybee Swarm Trap in the assembled position with straps threaded through slots in bottom and corner securing screws into buttons inside.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the Honeybee Swarm Trap with optional feeder jar fitted in top hole, and showing a bee attracted to the Swarm Catcher Bee Trap about to enter the trap, lower right corner.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of the Honeybee Swarm Trap showing the Honeybee Swarm Trap manufactured from a single piece of essentially flat material.

[0013] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the screw receiver button used to assemble the Honeybee Swarm Trap; FIG. 7B is a top view of an embodiment of the screw receiver button used to secure the corner of the assembled Honeybee Swarm Trap; FIG. 7C is a bottom view of an embodiment of the screw receiver button used to secure the corner of the assembled the Honeybee Swarm Trap.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the frame rest used in the Honeybee Swarm Trap and showing the optional floor that reduces the depth of the trap to that of a full depth nucleus hive.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vent disc used in the Honeybee Swarm Trap.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the screw 405 and screw receiver button 701 as disassembled.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the feeder hole cap 1101.

[0018] FIG. 12A is a view of an embodiment of the corrugated or polymeric material or other weather resistant material 1201 held in place with a flat wire clip 1202; FIG. 12B shows an embodiment of a flat wire clip 1202.

[0019] FIG. 13A is a view of an embodiment of either a lower hinged door 102 or an upper hinged door 103 held closed with a flat wire clip 1202; FIG. 13B is a view of an embodiment of either a lower hinged door 102 or an upper hinged door 103 held open with a flat wire clip 1202.

[0020] FIG. 14A is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the frame rest 306 used in the Honeybee Swarm Trap; FIG. 14B is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the frame rest 306 used in the Honeybee Swarm Trap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Embodiments of the Swarm Catcher Honeybee Trap (hereinafter “Honeybee Trap”) 100 comprises a honeybee trap box 101; a lower hinged door 102; an upper hinged door 103; a vent disc 104; a semi-punched kidney shaped front hole 205; a semi-punched kidney shaped back hole 601; an outer lid with integral hinge 105; one or more integral locking tab 106; a removable semi punched hole 107 for a feeder jar; an optional feeder jar 108; a pre-punched or pre-installed threaded receiving means 510 for the feeder jar.

[0022] In an embodiment of the Honeybee Trap 100, the honeybee trap box 101 is manufactured from corrugated or polymeric material or other weather resistant material. The honeybee trap box 101 may be colored gray, green or other color so as painting is not required. The corrugated or polymeric material or other weather resistant material 1202 when assembled, the corners are held in place with one or more of screws buttons and a flat wire clip or may be sonic welded.

[0023] In an embodiment of the Honeybee Trap 100, the Honeybee Trap 100 comprises a lower hinged door 102 that opens downward and may be held open with a straight flat wire clip 1202. When a honeybee swarm has moved into the Honeybee Trap 100, the door can be folded up to close and locked in place with a straight flat wire clip pushed into the top area of the above the door.

[0024] In an embodiment of the Honeybee Trap 100, the Honeybee Trap 100 comprises an upper hinged door 103 that opens upward. The upper hinged door 103 may be held open with a flat wire clip that is inserted in corrugated and bent upward at a 90-degree angle. The vent disc 104 comprises slots sized so that honeybees cannot escape. There is a semi-punched kidney shaped front hole 205 and a semi-punched kidney shaped back hole 601 with a semi-punched or “X” mark at the center of the kidney radii. The semi-punched kidney shaped front hole 205 is located on the front of the trap and the semi-punched kidney shaped back hole 601 is located on the back of the trap. The semi-punched kidney shaped front hole 205 and a semi-punched kidney shaped back hole 601 may or not be punched out. The vent disc 104 is rotated to the closed position when setting the trap. The vent disc 104 is rotated to the vent position after a honeybee swarm has entered the trap. This will allow the honeybees to have fresh air while the trap and honeybees are transported.

[0025] In an embodiment of the Honeybee Trap 100, the one or more integral locking tabs comprises two integral locking tabs 106.

[0026] In an embodiment of the Honeybee Trap 100 comprises an optional strap 201 to further secure the outer lid with integral hinge 105 and an adjustable strap buckle 202; a slot for locking tab 203; a lid locking slot 204; and a semi-punched kidney shaped front hole 205, with semi punched screw hole, front and back.

[0027] In an embodiment of the Honeybee Trap 100 comprises one or more semi punched locking tabs 301; an inner lid with integral hinge (shown in closed position) 302; feeder jar spacer 303; inner lid 304 (shown in open position in FIG. 3A); pre-punched feeder jar opening with fold back spacer flaps 305; molded “screw in”, two frame rests 306, one for each end of honeybee trap box 101; a pre-punched feeder hole 307 (shown with hole removed in FIG. 3A); outer lid 308 with integral folded collars; semi-punched kidney shaped front hole 205; and hole for securing screw 309. The frame rests 306 are fastened to the inside of the trap with screw 405 and button 701.

[0028] In an embodiment of the Honeybee Trap 100 comprises an optional securing strap 401 (shown in FIG. 4 threaded through bottom slots); end flaps 402, one on each end; four (4) slots (4) for threading straps through bottom 403; and interlocking side bottom flaps 404.

[0029] In an embodiment of the Honeybee Trap 100 comprises a bee trap that is approximately 40 liters in volume, and 6 standard Langstroth frames wide. This volume and width are the optimum size for bees to start a new home. However, this size is too deep for standard Langstroth frames. Therefore, a unique “floor” may be included that can be assembled after the bees are caught. This floor is used in conjunction with the upper entrance door. To use this embodiment the six frames are temporarily removed. The lower door is shut, and floor supports are added. A center support may be wood and is the length and width of the trap are equal. Center punched “X” may be provided in the outside walls of the trap to locate the screws in the center (front to back) that will hold the wood piece in the proper height to hold the floor in the correct position to simulate the depth of a full depth Langstroth hive. Additional supports are added in the front and back of the trap to hold the floor level. Then the bees on the frames that were removed are returned to the trap. All this may be done, if the goal is to let the bees develop a nucleus colony, that may be transferred to a regular size Langstroth hive box. In one embodiment the Honeybee Trap 100 comprises a wood support 801, four corner supports 802, a lower hinged door 102 that is closed, an upper hinged door 103 that is open, an optional floor 803 to make nucleus box depth, and a pre-punched “X” 602 with a screw to hold wood support.

[0030] In an embodiment of the Honeybee Trap 100 comprises one or more semi punched locking tabs 301, fold back spacer flaps 305, and a straight flat wire clip 1202. The one or more semi punched locking tabs 301 provide a means to secure the lid to the lid locking slot 204.

[0031] The best mode of operation of the Honeybee Trap 100 is to place the Honeybee Trap 100 within 100 yards to 2 miles of an established beehive. The interior of the Honeybee Trap 100 will be more attractive to scout bees if the beekeeper adds beehive frame/s with a bee's wax foundation 508. Frames will be placed on frame rests 306, that provide proper bee space and to prevent frames from moving when transporting. One or more scout honeybees 501 will enter the box and explore the interior of the Honeybee Swarm Trap. In one embodiment of the interior volume of the Honeybee Trap 100 is between 40 L and 60 L. Scout bees can visit the swarm trap and assess the trap for a swarm or propagated swarm to take up residence. Once the honeybee swarm takes up residence in the swarm trap, the beekeeper can close entrance, and open vent. Then move the Honeybees in the Swarm Trap to another location to house the beehive. Inner cover spacer flap 509. And spacer will provide bee space under the feeder bottle so bees may access the optional feeder jar 108. A honeybee feeding aperture with an optional feeder jar 108 allows feeding the bees after a swarm is captured. A feeder jar spacer 303, outer lid 308; and inner lid 302; support the optional feeder jar 108.

[0032] In a best mode of operation if the semi-punched kidney shaped front hole 205 and a semi-punched kidney shaped back hole 601 are punched out, a vent disc 104 must be added. The vent disk 104 is concave. The vent disc 104 is fastened with a screw 405 and button 701 through the vent center hole and the hole, hole in the trap ends below the kidney shaped hole. The concave feature will ensure the vent disc 104 will seal to the trap body. The screw 405 and button 701 may be slightly tightened so the disc may be rotated to the vent, to prevent venting, or a full hole position.

[0033] The best mode of operation of the Honeybee Trap 100 is to place frames with drawn beeswax foundation in the center of the Honeybee Trap 100. If drawn foundation is not available, use a beeswax foundation or bees wax starter strips. Adapter bars are available to accommodate various other beehive top bars used. Without frames or bars, bees will build comb on the top of the box and it will break off when opening the trap making a mess. The number of frames used depends on how often the Honeybee Trap 100 can be checked. A single frame can be used if monitoring the Honeybee Trap 100 daily. If the Honeybee Trap 100 can be checked only once a week, then 3 or 4 frames are recommended because the bees will need more comb to work with without building comb on the top flaps. Always put the frames in the center area of the box. It is best to leave empty space in the box as scout bees will need to fly around in the box to verify that the size of the Honeybee Trap 100 is sufficient for a full colony. The use of swarm attractant or a few drops of lemon grass oil is recommended. Close the vent disc and open the door. When bees are seen entering the Honeybee Trap 100 with pollen it is very likely that a swarm as occupied the Honeybee Trap 100. Wait until just after dusk when all the field bees are back, then close the door and open the vent and relocate the swarm to its permanent location. If bees are hanging on the front of the Honeybee Trap 100, spray them with water from a spray bottle and the bees should go inside the Honeybee Trap 100.

[0034] When the swarm is at its permanent location for them put the Honeybee Trap 100 in that location and open the door and feed the bees immediately. Punch out the feeder jar hole in the top and add feeder jar with sugar syrup. If it is known that the bees will be fed at their permanent location, it is best to punch the hole out and putting the feeder hole cap 1101 in before setting the Honeybee Trap 100.