Author Topic: Swarm Bait  (Read 1679 times)

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Offline Jen

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Swarm Bait
« on: March 29, 2021, 01:27:46 pm »
It's full on bee season here in upper northern California, but that doesn't mean that a foot of snow can show up next week.

My bee group is wondering what swarm bait is? It's something specially designed to entice a swarm into your swarm box set up. And you can buy it at Mann Lake I guess.

What is this swarm bait?
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Offline iddee

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“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
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Offline Jen

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Re: Swarm Bait
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2021, 02:20:29 pm »
Okay. If I use this spray or gel, do I still need to put lemongrass oil and old frames of comb?
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Offline iddee

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Re: Swarm Bait
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2021, 06:14:32 pm »
Not LGO. Frames to prevent a cutout and comb is a booster, not a necessity.
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
― Shel Silverstein

Offline Jen

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Re: Swarm Bait
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2021, 12:04:53 am »
Ordered some Swarm Commander for myself, suggested from Iddee today. Reviews on Amazon are very good.

All 5 of my hives made it thru winter this year. One hive has a 'laying machine queen' in it. I'm checking it every 5-7 days for queen cells. I'll set up a swarm trap on the bank behind our house, and use the Swarm commander. Here is a good vid on a commercial bee yard that is using Swarm Commander.

 
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Offline Bakersdozen

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Re: Swarm Bait
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2021, 10:19:42 am »
Swarm Commander is good.  They used to package it in small vials but it appears they don't do that any more.  I ordered some of the little crush glass tubes.

Offline Gypsi

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Re: Swarm Bait
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2021, 11:21:36 pm »
I use Swarm Commander. Come to think of it I probably should put some in my bait hive
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