Bee Vac questions

[Zane]

I purchased a homemade bee vac the other day. The kind like in bee source. Powered by a leaf blower. I did that cutout yesterday and used the bee vac on them. THey where up 12-15' on a wall. I used 20' of 2" smooth inside irrigation hose. I adjusted the vacuum to where the bees just started getting sucked up. I vacuumed the outer comb then stopped, cut out the first row and went onto the second row w/ the vacuum then 3rd and 4th. Then I emptied the vac. into a deep. I still had a fairly large death rate.
My question is how to get the rate down?
Shorter hose? I couldnt get the heavy vacuum up to the bees easily.
How small of a diameter hose is satisfactory?
How often do I need to remove the vacuumed bees? After every section of comb? just looking for ideas. I did get some saved and will combine them w/ some comb in one of my satellite hives. Hopefully the'll bee helpful.

[iddee]

I empty mine an hour or two after the removal is done. Can't help with the rest. I've never used that vac.

[clintonbemrose]

I have had the same problem until I added about 3 inches of soft pillow foam to the back of the inside box so the bees crashed into a soft back. This seemed to cut down the bee deaths.
Clint

[Hampton]

The longer hose will get you more dead bees. Also watch out for loops or turns in the hose while you are working. A piece of foam at the other end will help or use a plastic sheet hung from the top two or three inches from the back of the box. While working up high I use a block and tackle to hoist my beevac up to working height. Then I can use a shorter hose. I use a 10 foot hose and have a 4 foot extension if I need it. Hope this helps.

[Zane]

Ok thanks. I found some 2' vacuum hose in a 12' size and also some pool cleaning hose w/ a 1 1/2" dia. Both are shorter and more flexable yet still smooth inside.
I may have to reconstruct a vac that is lighter to get up to higher places. Idee had one that I like and the weight is cut in half. If I recall its pretty much the same as the one I have except it takes the outer box away leaving only one box of wood.

[Mike121]

I have had a little success with a homemade bee vac. What I found is you need a certain velocity to suck the bees up, however at that velocity bees hitting the end will die.
What I did was to put a short 3/4 inch piece of pipe on the end of the 2 inch pipe (the main length) Where it goes into the bee vac I change it again to a piece of 4 inch down pipe. Each change lowers the velocity of the air and the bees.
This is quite effective having high enough velocity to suck up bees, but as the bees travel down the pipe, their velocity drops.

Good luck

Mike

[Zane]

Mike 121,
I believe thats a principal of Mr. Bernelli. We use it in aviation. (increase in volume, decrease in pressure). Thanks great idea.

[Michael Bush]

>how to get the rate down?

Use a brush.

[Zane]

Yep Micheal your right. I never thought of it. My bad(darn it!). I got this vac from a lady that knew or at least met you. Gloria? nice lady
Thanks for the info.