The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1878] / being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management

by Alfred Neighbor

§ XVIII. BEE-TRAPS.

The object of these is to clear supers of bees previous to taking the honey. There are several of them in use, but the principle of most is the same. Clutton's bee-trap resembles one of the common round-holed mouse-traps, but the bees have to pass out instead of in. Over the little circular hole a pin is hung perpendicularly, and permitted by wire staples to open far enough to allow the escape of the bee, after which it falls back and denies readmission. The super having been removed from the hive and inverted, the trap may be fitted into one of the sides of a box, which, without its lid, is then inverted upon the super, every opening being closed which could admit a bee from outside. The super is then darkened, when the bees within will make for the light through the trap. Mr. Cheshire and Mr. Aston have also invented traps. Mr. Aston's has talc falls in place of pins.