Bee Vac idea

[Lew Best]

Hey Guys

Been wishing I had a bee vac for the removal tomorrow; wish I'd have had this idea before. Like to see what yall think; any suggestions appreciated!

Home Depot has a cordless shop vac. Thought came to mind that I might make a hive cover that had a screen in it & a hole for the vacuum hose. I mean a rather large screen (actually might just cover a queen excluder with screen wire & put in between the cover with the hose attached & the hive body; something to spread the vacuum flow out so a small cluster of bees wouldn't be sucked up against the hose opening & stop it up. Then I'd make another adapter with some kind of quick release clamps (maybe just use bungee cords?) for the "bee hose" to come into. Idea is I'd be sucking the bees right into the entrance; once all are in the front adapter could be removed & something to close the entrance (a screen box affair that would snap on?) & a regular top could be put on for transportation to the bee yard.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

BTW I'm a newbee; going for the first bee removal from a wall tomorrow! smile.gif smile.gif Never used a bee vac nor even seen one used!

Lew

[peggjam]

Lew:

Could you take a hivebody, put a piece of screening in diagonally from one far corner to the other, put in a hose hookup on each side and then hook your shopvac to the box, and then a hose to the other box outlet. This would allow you to have a long screen to catch the bees, and not shut off your vacuum. Seal everything up tight and away you go. Put in some vent holes that you can cover to control the amount of vacuum. Wouldn't be pretty, but would work in a pinch.

peggjam

[Lew Best]

Thanks Peggjam

Sounds good! Been looking for simple ideas; I tend not to do things until the last minute :( so may give it a try. Gotta see if I can get the vac real early in the morning; if not I'll do it "the old fashioned way" tomorrow; have one or maybe 2 more to do; if tomorrow a big problem I'll fashion something before the next one! smile.gif

Lew

[BedWetter]

Lew I have not had too much trouble on cut outs if you take empty frames and rubberband the brood into the frames. Then I scoop up some of the bees with a small dust pan and dump them into my box. They ussually go pretty easy then. You will still have some bees flying around and exploring, but if you get all the comb and wait until after dark, you will get most of them when you move the hive. Take this for what it is worth. I am just a newbee.