How Does a Swarm Lure Work?

Our beginning of spring here in Perth wasn’t actually your typical spring. It was rainy and gloomy, unlike anybody else’s sunny and flowery start to the season. With spring comes swarms of bees, and instead of capturing them manually, you can actually lure them into a box by using swarm lures. 

Where do I get a swarm lure? 

There’s many different types of swarm lures you can get in the market. However, you can also make one yourself. Check out your locals for premade swarm lures but you can also use lemongrass oil. Many beekeepers swear by this oil and it is very effective! 

You can also mix lemongrass oil with olive oil and melted beeswax. Simply combine beeswax and olive oil in a pot. Once the beeswax is melted, remove the pot from the heat. Add in the lemongrass oil and stir it well until the mixture thickens. Allow it to cool before use. 

To use it, smear your beehive box with at least a teaspoon of the swarm lure. You only need a small amount of the mixture for it to be effective! Otherwise, you’ll end up with a goopy mess. If you have an empty spray bottle, pour the oil in and spray it on the box. 

How does it actually work? 

Swarm lures actually imitate bee pheromones. Lemongrass in particular imitates a queen bee’s pheromone. That’s why many beekeepers swear by it. If you remember, the majority of a bees daily activity consists of using pheromones. 

Luring a swarm successfully also includes knowing how a swarm operates. Look out for the scout bees! These bees are foragers but for hunting new houses. They can fly around for 30 minutes just evaluating a new location. The more scout bees appear on your bait hive, the more promising your bait is. 


Interested in buying beekeeping tools and equipment in bulk and discounted price? For personalised advice on products and tips for beehive management, give us a call on 0488 010 840 or get in touch via email at info@bee2bee.com.au. Shop online here (free shipping for orders over $300)!