Too early for a capture hive?

[JDavis]

Hey Everyone,

First, I would like to thank Rob and the rest of the crew who put on the class this year. It was very well done, and I look forward to the monthly meetings. I wish I could have attended this months meeting, but had to be out of town for work.

Now, the reason for the post. Since this is my first year, I had a lot of startup tasks to complete. I think I am nearly finished with a few weeks left before my nuc orders are ready:
-The hives are complete and painted;
-the hive stand is complete;
-my water source is ready to set out;
-I have 50lbs of sugar and honeybee healthy for feedings and pollen patties if they are needed.

The only other thing that I have on my list is to plant a bed full of (more) pollen and nectar sources when the weather cooperates again.

After completing my hive stand in the beautiful weather yesterday, I decided to put out an empty hive "just in case" there is a swarm. Obviously there is some nasty weather coming over the next few days, but it looks like the second half of the week may warm back up. So here are my questions:

-Is it still too early for swarms this year? I realize that it has been a tough year.
-Is there any danger to leaving out an empty hive with only wax coated foundation? (Not much for wax moth larva to eat.)
-Are there other task that I should consider?

I have two hives ready, and two nucs on order, but I have extra supers ready, so if do capture a swarm, I can still be ready for the nucs with very little work.

Thanks for any ideas that you have to offer!

[Wally]

Swarm season moves from south to north. It has reached mid- south carolina. It could reach here at any time now. You can increase your chance of catching a swarm in your hive by adding a few drops of lemongrass oil in each one.
You could add a bottom board and a top to your reserve inventory, just to be ready.

Are you on the swarm list? If not, contact Rob and get on it.

I also recommend all new beeks make use of the mentor list on the website. An experienced eye can be a great help the first year.

[JDavis]

Thanks Wally! I had forgot that I could use lemongrass to help with swarm captures.

I will definitely get another top and bottom board. I think I am also going to build a few medium nucs to have on hand as well. Even if I don't need them this spring, I will need the soon enough. I want to overwinter a nuc or two this year if I can, two be ready for two more hives next year.

I am also definitely getting a mentor.

Thanks again.

[JDavis]

I ordered lemongrass oil on Monday, and it arrived in the mail today, so at lunch I drove home, and put out a couple of cotton balls. I placed one in a tree about 10 feet above my hive, and one under the outer cover.
Since the weather was beautiful, I sat outside on my back deck and enjoyed the sunshine. What surprised me was that it took less than 5 minutes for bees to begin investigating the lemongrass oil. In the 15 minutes that I watched, I saw multiple bees on the landing board, and many more hovering around the hive.
It feels good that bees are at least finding the hive, so if they swarm, they know it is there.