I was eager to expand the number of beehives in my apiary, but purchasing new hives can be costly. However, I've often noticed large clusters of bees hanging from tree branches and wondered how I might capture one. After all, they are essentially bees looking for a new home because they have outgrown their old one. 

I came across the idea of using a specialized trap to capture bees searching for a new home. This trap is a box designed with precise dimensions and baited with a scent that mimics the pheromones emitted by a queen bee. Inside, it contains frames for the bees to start building on, along with a couple of old, used frames that retain the familiar bee smell to make it even more appealing. These traps are hung in trees to attract the attention of scout bees scouting for a new location to relocate their swarm. 

I set up four traps in different locations and successfully caught bees in each one. These traps serve as temporary shelters, and the bees will need to be relocated to a permanent home. Moving them too soon could disrupt their adjustment and increase the likelihood of them leaving. I aim to leave them for at least a week to settle in, though two weeks is even better for ensuring stability. 

Moving the traps requires me to wake up before dawn. This ensures that all the bees are inside, minimizing any loss. I seal the opening, load the trap into my pickup, and transport it to my apiary. Bees have an incredible ability to map their surroundings in their tiny brains, allowing them to navigate back from each trip. If the traps are moved without prompting them to adapt, they will instinctively return to the original location. To help them adjust, I use small mesquite twigs, taping them partially over the opening. This signals to the bees that their environment has changed. You'll notice them flying in circles above the new location as they reprogram their internal map to remember where to return. I leave the twigs in place for a couple of days before removing them.

After allowing them a few days to settle down, they will be moved to their permanent home. I have constructed a new "Long Langstroth" hive box for this purpose. This design is a modern take on the traditional stacking boxes. In this hive, the bees expand horizontally instead of vertically. This approach is more convenient for me, as it eliminates the need to lift heavy hive boxes or bend over frequently. A fully loaded hive box can weigh up to 80 pounds, so this horizontal design significantly reduces physical strain. This box can be divided to accommodate up to three standard hives, but I will only place two in it.