Bee Vacs

[Tom Fran]

I am interested in building a bee vac. I have looked at the one on this site, but was wondering if others had any plans that might be a little more simple to build.

Thanks!

[Ben Brewcat]

Try a search on this site... there are as many opinions (and designs) of beevac as there are politician's promises .

Do you want it mainly for swarm capture from sticky locations like evergreens (ease of construction and portability)? Or do you want to get into cutouts (portable for ladder/roof use, durability, flexibility for large colonies)? Your needs will help shape your decision about what you really need. I've build four, each better than the last, but then I enjoy equipment design and fabrication (and I do removals which are a different critter from a swarm catch).

The critical elements are suction control: it MUST, simply must, be adjustable. Too much and you kill bees. Too little and it doesn't work. It should be just strong enough to pull bees off comb (and weaker/slower than you think it should go by hour 5 at 106 degrees). And as you progress through the removal, the optimum suction level changes. Did I mention adjustable suction? Openings with an adjustable sliding cover that bleeds air into the chamber are popular, but I prefer a router controller (like a rheostat) to adjust the power of the vacuum unit directly (hangs on my belt: dial up or down as needed).

Then you can start to think about portability. If you're primarily capturing swarms, battery-powered may suffice. Typically, I've found battery power to be weak [donning flame suit]. I much prefer, for removals and all but REALLY remote swarms, using either "shore power" (an outlet with an extension cord) or an inverter on deep-cycle camper batteries. Most swarms honestly IMO don't require a vac, but my first swarm that was deep in an evergreen was the reason I started building beevacs .

Then, start thinking process: hive-style: vacuum right into beekeeping equipment, versus into modular cages that shake/empty into beekeeping equipment. I've never had much luck with vacuuming bees into hives when the colony's on the second story soffit of a home; it's just too heavy on the ladder . Or the equipment leaks enough through all the imperfections of beekeeping boxes after a few years' use that it's hard to draw strongly enough.

Let us know what you think your main usage will be, and we'll provide eleven conflicting opinions about how to meet that need .

[LtlWilli]

We'll be getting calls from the water company about swarms in thier meter boxes....A vacuum would be most useful there.
LtlWilli

[Tom Fran]

I guess the one I'd be interested in would be one for doing cutouts. One that is light and portable and could be clipped onto a belt if working off a ladder. I would like one too that would be simple to build.

Is is OK to use a dimmer switch (300 watt) to control a 5 Gallon Shop Vac Bucket Max? Would a dimmer (or rheostat) damage the motor of the vac?

[rmaro]

yes it could damage the motor, cause it to over heat. Why would you just not cut out some airflow?

[Tom Fran]

rmaro,

I know of a person who just used a corded dimmer switch to regulate the motor. I thought it might be an easy way to accomplish the effect of regulating the suction, but I also believed that doing so would damage the motor. I thought I would put forth the idea here on this forum to see if others concurred with that idea.

Thanks for the advice - I won't go with the dimmer switch idea if it's going to wreck my motor.

[tommyt]

A simple fast one but similar to the first link
Buy a large plastic storage container
Build or buy a container to fit inside that
Cut necessary holes add screen to inside container and your done
I made my first out of 3/8 ply wood and steel window screen
It fit inside a storage bin
Worked like a charm

Tommyt

[Tom Fran]

Tommyt,

Could you provide a couple pictures or your vac?

Thanks

[tommyt]

Not the best but I had them on Photo bucket already

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...dowandexit.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/tommytt1/f5.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/tommytt1/f1.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/tommytt1/f6.jpg

[Tom Fran]

tommyt,

Thanks a lot for the pictures - I do appreciate it!

[berkshire bee]

I built mine around a bee package box and a small vac from Walmart

[Tom Fran]

Wow, I've come to realize that your imagination is the only limit to bee vacs. This has been very educational to me!

[Fuzzy]

And, Ask yourself, "how many bees will fit into the container without killing them".

We recently sucked about 6 lbs of bees out of a chimney, but it took 2 good size containers. The structure was a virtual cave so we had no clue how many bees were in there. However, we knew within minutes once we got the queen. We had bees trying to fly INTO the vac exhaust port. Now that was funny to watch!

[Tom Fran]

We had bees trying to fly INTO the vac exhaust port. Now that was funny to watch!

Hilarious!!!

[honeyman46408]

That is a good sign that you have the queen in the vac

[LtlWilli]

We made a nice bee vac yesterday. No digital, so no pics. I cannot wait to try it out and test it for suction strength. I feel that it will be a handy tool to have.
LtlWilli

[hilreal]

Made mine out of a medium size Rubbermaid type containter nested inside a medium size one from WalMart. Inexpensive and light weight. Used 4 inch plubing valves to allow closing the inner container for easy removal.