The Bee Lure Swarm Attractant is a pheromone-based swarm capture aid used by beekeepers in Kenya to attract wild bee swarms into empty hives and bait boxes. It mimics the Nasonov pheromone produced by worker bees to signal a suitable nesting site, triggering swarm entry into the treated cavity. It is the most effective and reliable method for populating new hives without purchasing packaged bees or splitting colonies.
What Is Bee Lure Swarm Attractant?
Bee lure is a synthetic pheromone attractant applied to the inside of an empty hive, bait box, or log hive cavity to attract passing honey bee swarms. Scout bees looking for a new home detect the pheromone scent during their search flights and identify the treated cavity as a desirable nesting site, guiding the swarm in. In Kenya, where wild swarms of Apis mellifera scutellata are abundant during swarming season (typically MarchāMay and OctoberāNovember), bee lure dramatically increases the success rate of passive swarm capture. It is used alongside Langstroth Hives, Kenya Top Bar Hives, and homemade bait boxes.
Key Features and Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Synthetic Nasonov pheromone attractant |
| Application | Apply inside empty hive, bait box, or swarm trap |
| Target Species | Apis mellifera scutellata and all Kenyan honey bee species |
| Compatible Hives | Langstroth, Kenya Top Bar, log hives, bait boxes |
| Best Season | MarchāMay and OctoberāNovember (Kenya swarming seasons) |
Who Needs Bee Lure Swarm Attractant?
- New Beekeepers: The most affordable way to populate a new hive without purchasing a packaged swarm or nucleus colony.
- Commercial Farmers Expanding Apiaries: Beekeepers adding new hive units who want to stock them from wild swarms rather than splitting existing colonies.
- CBOs and Cooperatives: Community groups running income-generating beekeeping projects who need a low-cost method to populate multiple hives per swarming season.
- NGOs: Organisations distributing hives to smallholder beneficiaries in rural Kenya where wild swarms are available and purchasing nucleus colonies is not practical.
How to Use Bee Lure Swarm Attractant
- Prepare the bait hive. Set up an empty hive or bait box in an elevated position (1ā3 metres above ground) facing east or south-east, near vegetation where bees forage.
- Apply the lure. Wipe or spray a small amount of bee lure on the inside walls near the entrance and on the top bars or inner cover. A few drops is sufficient ā do not over-apply.
- Position old comb if available. Placing a piece of old brood comb or beeswax inside the bait hive alongside the lure significantly increases attraction success.
- Check weekly during swarming season. Inspect the bait hive weekly. Once scout bees are seen investigating the entrance frequently, a swarm arrival is imminent. Reapply lure every 2ā3 weeks if no swarm arrives.
- Once a swarm arrives. Allow the swarm 48 hours to fully settle before moving the hive to its permanent apiary location to avoid absconding.
Why Buy From Urban Beekeepers?
- Kenya’s best beekeeping equipment shop ā stocking high-quality and genuine beekeeping equipment
- In stock ā same-day delivery within Nairobi
- Nationwide delivery to all major towns across Kenya
- Call or WhatsApp: 0797 764 747
- Trusted by commercial farmers, CBOs, and NGOs across Kenya
- Urban Beekeepers accepts M-Pesa, card, cash and bank transfer payments
Shipping and Delivery
Urban Beekeepers delivers countrywide to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Machakos, Kitengela, Kitui, and all major towns across Kenya. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Call 0797 764 747 to confirm delivery timelines for your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to use bee lure in Kenya?
The best time to use bee lure in Kenya is during the two main swarming seasons ā March to May (the long rains) and October to November (the short rains). During these periods, established colonies are more likely to swarm as nectar flows stimulate colony growth and reproduction.
How long does bee lure remain effective once applied?
Most bee lure formulations remain effective for 2 to 4 weeks depending on temperature and rainfall. Reapply every 2 to 3 weeks during swarm season if the bait hive has not been occupied.
Does Urban Beekeepers deliver Bee Lure outside Nairobi?
Urban Beekeepers delivers countrywide to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Machakos, Kitengela, Kitui, and all major towns across Kenya. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Call 0797 764 747 to confirm delivery timelines.
