Using A Deep National As A Bait Hive

Last year I bought a few new poly hives very cheaply as they were in a closing down sale. The were deep national hives, also called 12x14s, at the time I thought this could work well, but my concern since getting them is that my girls will struggle with the inspections with the bigger frames. It's surprising the weight that is in a frame. 

I might still use these, but while we have some standard national hives I'll use those first. I still want to use them though, so I decided I'd use them as bait hives. 

Bait hives are used to try to capture wild swarms of bees, that have swarmed naturally (or from someone else's hives). 

There is said to be a sweet spot for the size of a bait hive, about 40 litres, but looking at the research they only tested about 3 sizes. Ones that work well seem apparently have a clear space under with frames above. 

So I thought I'd use an empty super and with the deep brood box above. I have the spare super, so nothing really to loose. We did have to saw a bit off the base to allow the super on top (different makes). 

I placed them in the orchard at mum and dad's farm. Dad suggest a stack of pallets. Lets just say that mum wasn't pleased with the placing of this bait hive... It may have to be moved. 

So we'll leave the hive int he orchard for a while and see what happens, I might add some lemon grass oil to act as a attractant next time I'm over. 

If it's not too big as a bait hive (which it may be) then the main advantage will be that the bees can establish themselves and there is no rush for us to come and get them. 

I'd like to make up some nucs to act as bait hives as well, but too busy at the moment!