The document summarizes the process of honeybee hive selection and baiting. When a honeybee hive becomes overcrowded, it will split into two groups with the mother queen and half the bees leaving to establish a new colony, usually in the spring. Scout bees will search for a new location based on factors like storage space, defendability, ventilation, and dryness. To attract a swarm, beekeepers set up empty bait hives with wax or propolis scents and keep them shaded, using old equipment that appears defendable to the bees.

1. Selection of Hive

2. • Honeybee hive crowded ---hive splits into two-
--- mother queen and half bees leave to
establish a new colony
• Usually occurs in the spring
• A week before swarming scout bees are sent
• Selection communicated by waggle dance

3. Factors affecting their decision
• Their previous location
• Storage space: enough to store their food
• Defendable
• Shade: aids to ventilation
• Dry

4. Baiting
• A bait hive is an empty hive that is set up to
attract a swarm during the swarming season.
• To bait a hive: melt wax or melt wax+propolis
and paint this on the entry point and inside of
the hive.
• Solid floor should be used-otherwise bees
think it can’t be defended

5. Contd…
• Old brood box can be used for baiting
• Keep in the shade
• Swarm lures can be used