# Swarm trap and drone bees **URL:** \ **Category:** Beekeeping - Basics\ **Tags:** swarming-splits\ **Created:** [June 4, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/swarm-trap-and-drone-bees/22024 "2019-06-04T19:34:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snottyscotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@Snottyscotty](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Snottyscotty)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/swarm-trap-and-drone-bees/22024/1 "2019-06-04T19:34:35Z")
Hello, I have a swarm trap set up and I have noticed several drones around the entrance and also entering the swarm trap. Do drones visit swarm traps? There is a lot of bee activity going in and out but I do not see pollen being brought in. I think it is important to disclose that I used “heavy waxed” deep frames in this swarm box. The activity may be bees robbing the wax off of the frames?? ---
**Author:** ![JeffH](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/jeffh/32/7192_2.png) [@JeffH](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/JeffH)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2019, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/swarm-trap-and-drone-bees/22024/2 "2019-06-04T22:25:35Z")
You might have a colony inside that swarm trap. If so, it takes a few days for bees in a new hive to start bringing in pollen. They start building the comb first. Once the queen is able to start laying eggs & there are cells for the bees to be able to store pollen, that’s when they’ll start collecting it, in my view. I have never heard of, or seen bees taking wax back to a hive. I’ve seen them collecting preused propolis, but not wax. ---
**Author:** ![Peter48](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/peter48/32/14625_2.png) [@Peter48](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Peter48)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 3:43am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/swarm-trap-and-drone-bees/22024/3 "2019-06-05T03:43:48Z")
I totally agree with @JeffH Even in a robbing situation I have never heard of bees removing wax. I suspect you have the makings of a new colony in the trap. If that is the situation it would be a good move to internally feed the colony with a 50/50 sugar/water to help them in wax production. Don’t over stress the colony with too many check-ups till the colony is established in their new home, even lifting the roof off for a visual look sets the colony backwards. Cheers Peter ---
**Author:** ![Semaphore](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/semaphore/32/14994_2.png) [@Semaphore](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Semaphore)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 5:51am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/swarm-trap-and-drone-bees/22024/4 "2019-06-05T05:51:44Z")
agree Jeff- when I started out someome said to leave scraps of burr comb beside hives so the bees can ‘re-use’ it. I did that and never once saw them take any. They are attracted to it a bit- but they never take it. On the other hand: I have seen bees all over collecting propolis, wherever the find it- the other day they were collecting the tar off my smoker spout. One thing though: bees do collect the wax from my wax dipped hive bodies when it seeps out or little droplets are left on the surface after dipping- but that is mixed with gum rosin and I believe the bees see it as a good source of potential propolis. I have seen them do that often- collecting it on their legs like pollen. ---
**Author:** ![Snottyscotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@Snottyscotty](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Snottyscotty)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 12:58pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/swarm-trap-and-drone-bees/22024/5 "2019-06-05T12:58:23Z")
Thank you so much for the feedback. Will give it a few days and check on it again:) Scott ---
**Author:** ![Snottyscotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@Snottyscotty](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Snottyscotty)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/swarm-trap-and-drone-bees/22024/6 "2019-06-18T02:58:36Z")
Gent’s, Thank you so much for the advice. It turned out that I had a swarm move in. This is my 1st year with bees, and 1st year placing swarm traps. I placed 6 in the beginning of June, and have now brought home my second swarm. I know it is typically not this easy in upstate New York and I am being spoiled!