How to Catch a Swarm with a Layens Hive: A Natural Beekeeper's Guide

A Layens swarm trap with a new swarm of bees moving in.

If you're keeping bees the natural way, there's nothing more thrilling than catching your first swarm. It's free bees, straight from nature — and the Layens hive is the perfect home for them.

This guide will show you how to attract, catch, and settle a swarm into a 7-frame Layens hive — with tips for success and natural beekeeping alignment.

A bee swarm moving into a 7-frame Layens hive sitting on a bench.

Why Swarms Love Layens Swarm Traps

The Layens hive's deep cavity mimics the hollow trees that bees seek in the wild. Here’s why our Layens 7-frame hive is ideal for swarm catching:

• Versatile design = the 7-frame Layens hive can be a swarm trap or a starter hive

• Spacious interior = 7 frames provide plenty of room for the swarm to build

• Deep frames = uninterrupted comb building and natural brood-rearing

  
  

Bees prefer shelter that feels stable, dark, and protected — exactly what the Layens hive offers.

👉Learn more about why the Layens design is ideal for natural beekeeping in this deep-dive article.

A swarm of bees resting on an apple tree branch.

What You Need to Catch a Swarm

• Your 7-frame Layens hive, fully assembled and pre-wired — this can double as your swarm trap and temporary hive

• Lemongrass essential oil (or a commercial swarm lure)

• Protective gear (veil, gloves, long sleeves)

• A box or container in case the swarm is in a tricky spot (i.e. not in your swarm trap)

• Brush or feather to gently coax bees off surfaces

  
  

Optional: a stepladder and a calm assistant — especially if the swarm is high up. Use abundant caution if you are going to use a ladder to catch bees. We try to avoid using ladders wherever possible and in many cases, simply place swarm traps at standing height.

This swarm moved into a 7-frame Layens hive placed simply on a bench.

Step-by-Step: Catching a Swarm in Your 7-Frame Layens Hive

1. Set and Bait the Hive (or Swarm Trap)

Place a few drops of lemongrass oil on a cotton ball and tuck it inside the hive or near the entrance. The scent mimics queen pheromones and draws scout bees.

Set your hive (in this case, the 7-frame Layens hive) in a shaded, quiet location — ideally elevated at least a few feet and near forage sources like wildflowers, orchards, or gardens. Along a tree line or forest edge is a good location.

Many beekeepers place the swarm trap 10-12 feet high in a tree. To do this, you will need ratcheting straps and a ladder. While this method works, we prefer placing swarm traps at heights that can be reached while standing on the ground.

Pollen packets (the yellow balls visible on a bee's hind legs) are a good sign the swarm will stay.

2. Observe & Wait

Scouts may inspect your hive for several hours or days before the swarm moves in. Look for an increase in bee traffic around the entrance — a sign the hive is being seriously considered.

Do not remove the swarm trap until you observe bees bringing pollen into the hive, indicating the queen is laying and the colony is likely to remain. After this, you can wait a week or more before transferring the hive (or swarm trap) to its final location.

2.5. Catch the Swarm (If Needed)

If the swarm is clustered on a branch or other surface and was not caught in your swarm trap:

• Gently shake or brush the bees into a container (a cardboard box or empty hive body works well)

  
  

• Bring the swarm-in-a-box to the location of your hive, set up and ready to receive bees

  
  

• Quickly and smoothly pour or scoop them into the open Layens hive, a few frames removed leaves space to pour them in. Alternatively, you can allow the bees to enter the hive entrance by tilting the open box toward the entrance as a kind of ramp, leading the bees to walk upward and into the hive

  
  

• Once the queen is inside, the rest will follow. You may see a "marching" behavior at the entrance — a great sign

  
  

Close the hive once most bees are inside. Make sure ventilation is adequate if it's hot.

Moving bees from a Layens swarm trap into a 14-frame Layens hive.

The swarm trap entrance is partly blocked with branches to reorient bees to their new location.

3. Transfer to the Final Location

Bring the bees to the location where they are to live.

If you caught a swarm in your Layens 7-frame hive, all you need to do is bring the hive to the location they are to live and set the hive on a stand (usually four cinder blocks works well).

If you caught a swarm in a box or other enclosure, follow the directions in section 2.5 above.

If you used a swarm trap and will ultimately transfer the bees into a larger hive, then place the swarm trap on top of their new hive, situated where they are to stay (set up on a hive stand, etc). Make this transfer at night, after the bees have gone into the swarm trap. Close it up, transfer the trap carefully. Use branches to temporarily block the entrance so the bees will reorient the following morning. Open the entrance and leave them be. After 5-7 days, when you see no more bees performing orientation flights, then you can transfer them, frame by frame, into their new hive below. They will adapt to using the new entrances within a day.

Swarm trap partly blocked with evergreen branches, waiting to be placed in the hive below.

Moving frames from a swarm trap to a new Layens hive.

A swarm trap being relocated into a large Layens hive.

Once in place, leave the hive undisturbed for 3–5 days. This gives the swarm time to orient, begin building comb, and bond to their new home. Avoid early inspections — too much disruption can cause them to leave.

Aftercare: How to Support a Swarm in a Layens Hive

• Feed if needed: If there’s a nectar dearth or bad weather, offer raw honey (or a honey/sugar syrup) to help them get started

  
  

• Hands off: Resist the urge to peek — natural beekeeping relies on trust and observation, not constant interference

  
  

• Entrance watching: Steady bee traffic and pollen coming in = success

  
  

Soon your bees will draw out natural comb on the deep Layens frames, start raising brood, and settle in for the season.

Bees often get creative with their comb building!

Final Thoughts: Catching Swarms the Natural Way

Swarms are a gift to the beekeeper — a fresh start with vigorous, self-selected bees. The Layens hive offers them the type of shelter they instinctively seek. With the right prep and a little patience, you can welcome a wild swarm and set the stage for a thriving, treatment-free colony.

👉 Shop our fully assembled 7-frame Layens hive — handcrafted and ready for swarm season.