My first Swarm Trap/ Swarm Commander

[sc-bee]

Dad and I have had about a dozen traps out for over a month now. Some baited with LGO and some with Swarm Commander. Most are five frames nucs but I had a couple side by side I set up as a comparison just to see if they seemed to prefer one over the other. No I do not climb especially with a ten framer. Nothing scientific I just tried to set them up at the same height, in close proximity and same frames etc. I put two drawn comb and two empties in each.

There had been no intrest in any of them. I had to go out of town last week on Wed. so I checked and refreshed everything Tues. I opened the LGO hive and put a couple drops on the frames inside and a couple drops at the entrance. I opened the SC hive and put a couple sprays on the top of the frames and then a couple sprays on the front entrance board.

I have not been able to check them in 11 days. Well I should have put in some more empties (I was just getting so many differing opinions on make up of inside). They chose the Swarm Commander trap... Number 8 is the SC.

[adgjoan]

Where do you get swarm commander?  How do you apply it?

[kingd]

Where do you get swarm commander?  How do you apply it?

  www.swarmcommander.com
    You spray a little on your inside cover and one pump near the entrance of your Swarm trap.

 I am trying it this year,SC on some of the traps and lemon grass oil on others. So far there has been a fair amount of interest at the
SC traps.

 

[Bakersdozen]

SC- thanks for posting your pictures and results of your comparison.  It's nice to know that you didn't have to place your bait hive up high.  I would like to know what LGO is.  OH, is that lemon grass oil? 

[robo]

Well I should have put in some more empties (I was just getting so many differing opinions on make up of inside).

Swarms arrive prepared to build comb.  Unless you provide foundationless frames, you end up doing a cutout.  More work for you and wasted effort for the bees.

[sc-bee]

Well I should have put in some more empties (I was just getting so many differing opinions on make up of inside).

Swarms arrive prepared to build comb.  Unless you provide foundationless frames, you end up doing a cutout.  More work for you and wasted effort for the bees.

I am with you 100% robo. I missed the boat as we discussed it in a PM. I already had the trap out at that time and did not change it. I had all kind of advice. Use foundation, use all old drawn frames, a combination of the two, etc. I think you suggestion was a drawn comb or two and then fill with empty frames as they are looking at the space and the foundation interferes with the open space concept..

One point of posting the pic was so folks could learn from my mistake as it was wasted resources and more work for the bees :(

[LazyBkpr]

Nicely done!
   I am with Robo on this one.. empty frames!!
   Glad to see Swarm COmmander worked well for you!!   There is also a link on the forums home page to Scott's home page where you can order Swarm commander as well as his Hiney B Gone.

   Edit;    Hiney b gone??  dont tell my wife she will order a case!

[sc-bee]

Nicely done!
   I am with Robo on this one.. empty frames!!
   Glad to see Swarm Commander worked well for you!!   There is also a link on the forums home page to Scott's home page where you can order Swarm commander as well as his Hiney B Gone.

   Edit;    Hiney b gone??  dont tell my wife she will order a case!

I must have used a 55 gal drum.... 

[robo]

I am with you 100% robo. I missed the boat as we discussed it in a PM. I already had the trap out at that time and did not change it. I had all kind of advice. Use foundation, use all old drawn frames, a combination of the two, etc. I think you suggestion was a drawn comb or two and then fill with empty frames as they are looking at the space and the foundation interferes with the open space concept..

One point of posting the pic was so folks could learn from my mistake as it was wasted resources and more work for the bees :(

Once you experience it first hand, you'll never make the mistake again 

Also when using foundationless frames, I strongly encourage the use of at least 1 horizontal wire to provide support for the new soft comb.   Getting a swarm trap home and opening it up to find the comb collapsed is also a method changing experience.....