At the school where i work there is a huge hive in the copula that i am removing in the spring. I need to build a bee vac over the winter to extract the bees.
Any advice for building it and for using it? I have heard that too much suction can kill the bees and so I am wondering what other pitfalls there are for a first timer.
Below are some pics of the hive. It should be easy access.
(http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7161/p9170583.jpg)
(http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/2313/p9170584.jpg)
Rob has a design on his web page and info. of a system that works great. http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/)
Thats a Beautiful Hive, Wow!
I'm too new to this site, so i cannot post the link. So, do a yahoo search for 'bee vac plans' and check out the vac on ROBO'S WORLD...nice!
also, your gonna need a bunch of swarm catch frames. So, again...do a yahoo search for 'beehive removable swarm catching frame'.
Best of luck
That hive is friggin awesome. Good luck
That hive is friggin' awesome!
Not sure if you realize it or not but you don't need a bee vac to remove that colony. If you have decided that you want to remove other colonies as well, perhaps even as a sideline then yes, consider getting/building one but for one hive or even the occasional one you do not need a bee vac to get the job done.
We can discuss other options right here if you like.
...JP
JP,
I realize I dont need one but I would like to build one and I thought it could come in handy here. Perhaps there is a better way to remove this? How would you do it?
JP will amaze you with what he does
Here my Low-Tec redneck Vac
(http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy34/Tom_Tommyt/vachoseintake.jpg)
build a Box like this with screen on two sides
I need to take better Pictures some day
(http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy34/Tom_Tommyt/DSCF6235.jpg)
when you attach it all you just suck-um up into the screen box when done tape or staple screen over
Hose hole with a large hive good Idea to have more than one screen Box
(http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy34/Tom_Tommyt/DSCF6234.jpg)
You can dumpster dive the hose line or buy pool VAC lines
I take Duct tape and use it as a seal for the tote if I don't have enough vacuum
It's redneck low-tec but works :-D
Tommyt
Cool hive there. I have the box and vac like everybody else, but if I had to do it all over again, I would go with one like the Bill Owens vac. http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Owens-Bee-Vac/productinfo/318/ (http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Owens-Bee-Vac/productinfo/318/) All one piece to tote up the ladder and not having to worry about pulling the hose out of the vac or pulling the hose out of the box. It just works easier as one single unit. My 2 cents.
I'll try to make a video for you of my favorite vac in the next day or two.
Scott
Allen, I've heard some negative comments on the Bill Owens vac...not sure if it was the vac or operator error though.
Scott
What problems did the people have? Did the vac suck? :-D
Maybe someone who has one will chime in.
He said that the suction relief wasn't adjustable enough and he ended up with a bucket of dead bees. Once again though it's hearsay.
Scott
It is not too hard to change the suction on a vac. Even if you have to alter it yourself. I just like everything in one piece to carry around, but for now I am stuck with what I got.
http://bushfarms.com/beesferal.htm#beevacuum (http://bushfarms.com/beesferal.htm#beevacuum)
Quote from: WhipCityBeeMan on December 29, 2010, 09:50:49 PM
JP,
I realize I dont need one but I would like to build one and I thought it could come in handy here. Perhaps there is a better way to remove this? How would you do it?
Looks like a good bit of bees in the pictures but those numbers will likely reduce significantly come spring time. Transfer comb sections thus securing them in your frames, if a mess of bees are in your way, and they are gentle you could move them by hand or transfer via a dust pan while you are securing comb sections.
Of course all the while you are on the look out for the queen, have a hair clip queen catcher handy if/when you see her, place her on/in the new set up.
If your timing is a little off you could wind up with multiple queens. Be sure to bring several queen catchers/cages with you.
Work from the outside in leaving a few comb sections in the center, so you up your chances of her gravitating to the center.
After all comb is removed and transferred leave the new set up until dark for them to orient to.
Most all bees should be in the new set up come dark, close up the hive and transfer.
Of course this would be the ideal situation but with patience you'll get the job done, even without a bee vac.
If in the end they are clustered in a big ball at the old location (because you didn't get the queen) you could spray them with water and then transfer them with a dust pan.
...JP
Thanks JP,
Perhaps I will wait on the bee vac.
Bee vac -> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/)
cut-out frames -> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/cut-out-frames/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/cut-out-frames/)
Not sure if I mentioned but I don't do any cut outs unless my smoker is lit and by my side. You can use the smoker to move bees aside to see your comb sections, this helps tremendously.
Here's one I did of an external colony attached to a porch. You can see how I move the bees aside using the smoker.
External Colony Removed From Porch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzH1ILyIe0w#ws)
...JP
Quote from: Robo on December 30, 2010, 09:34:18 AM
Bee vac -> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/)
cut-out frames -> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/cut-out-frames/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/cut-out-frames/)
I really like how this one works. Im going to build one to have on hand for the upcoming year.
I built one of Robo's style vacs last year.
I have since used it 8-10 different times. I utilize 1 1/4 swimming pool hose that is 20' long. So far all I have had to pack 'up a ladder' is the hose.
As far as I am concerned, this will be the last vac I own.
Robo I never saw your Vac in detail, like I did in these Links
Thats a real Bee Vac maybe red in color but sure not Red Neck :-D
Tommyt
Quote from: Robo on December 30, 2010, 09:34:18 AM
Bee vac -> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/)
cut-out frames -> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/cut-out-frames/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/cut-out-frames/)