How to Attract Honeybees to a Hive

Make bees feel welcome by adding luring aromas to the bait hive.

Beekeeping can be an enjoyable hobby, as well as a lucrative business. For your bees to produce honey, you need to create an attractive space for a hive. You can accomplish this by building or purchasing a bait hive. Once you have the accommodations, you must draw the honeybees to the space. Attracting honeybees to a hive can be accomplished with a variety of luring aromas.

Things You'll Need

• Lecithin
• Oil of lemongrass
• Oil of spearmint
• Sugar
• Spray bottle
• Lemons
• Limes
• Oranges
• Pheromone lure
• Beeswax candle
• Honeycomb piece

Instructions

1. Mix 1/8 tsp. of lecithin with 7 drops each of oil of lemongrass and oil of spearmint. Pour into a half-quart container of hot water and add 2 cups of sugar. Cover the container and shake well, continuing until the sugar is dissolved. Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle and spray the hive.

2. Choose a proper size swarm trap. If you opt to attract bees with a trap, select or build an 8- or 10-frame box, as honeybees will not stay in a space that is too large.

3. Add citrus scents. Rub the peels of lemons, limes or oranges into the wood on the inside of the bait hive.

4. Place a pheromone lure in a bait hive. Pheromone scents are available from bee supply companies. Store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them.

5. Burn a candle made of beeswax. Place the drippings inside the bait hive. Insert a piece of honeycomb in the hive.

References

• Corrente: Attracting Honey Bees
• Saul Creek Apiary: Swarm Trap and Swarm Lure Use
• David A. Cushman: Bait Hives for the Attraction of Honey Bees
• Outdoor Place: Backyard Beekeeping