Using synthetic pheromone lures to attract honeybee colonies in Kenya 

I K. Kigatiira, J. W. L. Beament, J. B. Free And J. A. Pickett

Nasonov pheromone lures, either with or without (E)-9-oxo-2-decenoic acid (902), were hung inside empty Kenya top-bar hives in each of 4 apiaries in Kenya. Of the 48 hives with lures, 24 were occupied by honeybee swarms, although at one site all hives, with or without lures, remained unoccupied. At the other 3 sites, 56, 78 and 17% of hives with Nasonov lures, with Nasonov + 902 lures, and without lures, respectively, were occupied. The difference between hives with Nasonov lures and with Nasonov + 902 lures was not significant. It is concluded that lures should be placed in hives only at those times of year when migrating colonies usually settle in the area concerned.