Is this just a German thing!?

[Jeff]

Anyone else clear the bees for harvesting this way? Looks utterly simple, no chemicals, and seems to leave only a very few bees on the frames. I can't post the YouTube link 'cause I'm still too new here, but search for "abstoßen der Bienen" (or abstossen, if you don't know how to make the "s-zet" character). If it's too much trouble to look, here's a summary: He simply knocks the bees off from each frame with one firm tap on the hand holding the frame (doesn't strike the frame directly), one after the other, into a 5 (10?) gallon pail, spraying them in the pail every few frames, and puts the top on the pail when he's done.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1JL4p4W7fW4

[Jerrymac]

I just shake the bees off at the hive and place the frames in a hive body covered. When I get to the house I check each frame again and shew off any bee that made it that far.

[BenC]

Yes, that's the way to do it!  I used to shake the frames, bang them on the tops of the frames still in box, or brush the bees off with my hand until I saw someone do that trick.  Not only good for harvesting honey frames, but equally effective for harvesting bees (after finding the queen of course). 

[wtiger]

Thanks for posting this.  I'll have to try that technique this coming year.

[Jerrymac]

Why is he putting the bees in the bucket? What is he spraying on them? What happens when a frame slips and falls into the bucket?

Did you notice he didn't shake the last frame?

[wtiger]

I just assumed it was syrup he was spraying.

[BenC]

I watched a few more videos from that poster, I think there where 6 in all.  One of the other clips showed how he populated mating nucs (or some really small packages).  Out came the bucket-o-bees and he ladled them into the boxes.  A spray bottle with a light sugar solution and a little peppermint will keep bees from flying and is useful for making commingled bees.

[AndersMNelson]

Last time I harvested, I did the STUPIDEST thing.  I put a super on top of our air conditioning condenser, which has a powerful fan blowing upward, expecting it to clear the bees.  All it did was make them super angry.

[Jeff]

I assume he's putting them in the bucket a) so they're out of the way for the entire process, and b) so he can efficiently shake them all back into the hive after empty frames have been placed. I suppose the syrup spray helps considerably to keep them in the bucket for the duration.

I've found lots of interesting things on the German (or in this case, Austrian!) beekeeping sites. I'm a freelance translator of technical German, so this doubles my opportunities for finding useful information!

[rdy-b]

WHAT he was doing was collecting nurse bees from frames of brood -then those nurse bees would be used in populating mating nucs or one of the most common uses would be to use in the colony or nuc that he would use as a cell builder for rearing queens -mean old field bees that forage for nectar would not be as cooperative -but i use the method of clearing bees from every frame in such a manner when i collect comb honey - 8-)RDY-B

[Cass Cohenour]

WHAT he was doing was collecting nurse bees from frames of brood -then those nurse bees would be used in populating mating nucs or one of the most common uses would be to use in the colony or nuc that he would use as a cell builder for rearing queens -mean old field bees that forage for nectar would not be as cooperative -but i use the method of clearing bees from every frame in such a manner when i collect comb honey - 8-)RDY-B

I believe you're exactly right. If you look at the frames they mostly contain brood and I really don't know anyone who harvests brood.

I've been using a leaf blower when clearing out supers. Only the bees that are in the cells can hold on and not be blown out.