swarm bucket diagram

[GSF]

I'm wanting to make a swarm bucket. The type I have in mind is the one with conduit. The rope ties to the middle of the lid, comes down through the middle of the bucket, through a few inches of conduit then out. You bump it against the swarm on a limb and when they fall in the bucket pulling the rope closes the lid. Any idea where to find building info on this?

[splitrock]

Don't know about that type, but I made one out of a water cooler size water bottle that I cut the bottom off. I am a concrete contractor, and the opening on the bottle will accept a bull float handle coupler. The 6 foot length handles are light weight, and adapt to each other giving good reach. I've reached 30 feet with no trouble. You just have to take handles off as you lower it.
After I bump a swarm, I just dump them into a hive body and we are done.  I never needed a lid with this set up.

[Maggiesdad]

That's good stuff, splitrock!

And being a concrete man, you've got the arms to hold that rig steady 30 feet up. I can just see myself falling tail over tincup with that...

[Dallasbeek]

Now there'll be a run on those things and there goes the price.

[capt44]

I have the type that uses a rope and conduit.
It's ok for about 15-18 ft then after that it's very wobbley.
Now I use the 5 gallon water bottle and a 23 ft extension pole.
I caught a swarm May 3rd that was 35 ft up and out on a lib.
I climbed up a folding ladder a couple of steps

[Michael Bush]

Here's some pictures:
http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/ShowAdditionalImg.asp?number=270#
http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Hipps-Swarm-Retriever/productinfo/270/

[BeeMaster2]

I have one. The bottom fitting is just a galvanized pipe stand fitting screwed on to bottom of the bucket. I do not use a lid.
If you use PVC pipe, when it gets over 10' the pipe bends too much to bee effective to pop the branch.
The last time I retrieved a swarm at 25' up I used my pool net pole and stood on a ladder that was against my gazebo.
Jim

[chux]

The water cooler bottle is too small for a good size swarm. Even a 5 gallon bucket seems a bit small. I got a friend/welder to build a hoop out of a small rod of metal. He welded that hoop at a 90 degree angle to  a straight rod about 3 feet long. We then welded two small support arms out from the straight rod, toward the outside of the hoop. I used some cordura to create a bag which hangs in the hoop. I use two hose clamps to attach the upright rod to the end of a 23' paint extention pole. I fixed a paint roller on the end of the pole above the bag, to hook around and shake the branch. I can catch a pretty good size swarm with this setup, at least 30 feet up, if I get on a step-ladder for a few extra feet. The hoop is big enough to catch the entire swarm most of the time.   

[iddee]

Reply # 8.....


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