The one that got away.

[Stone]

I just had to give up a swarm because it was too high up in a tree.  It was hanging on a very thin branch about 20-25 feet up.  No way to get it without a cherry picker.  I thought about that bucket on a pole contraption. Maybe that would have worked. Maybe if I could have lassoed the branch and pulled it down? That could have worked too.  But a professional, multiple section, tree pruner would have definitely worked but the swarm would have been smashed to the driveway below.  A tree pruner pole outfitted with a noose at the end could have solved this problem.

Anyone ever heard of this?  Or made one?  I'm mentally designing one as I write but I'd be interested in finding out what solutions to this situation you all have come up with.

* I posted this on the swarm removal section of the forum also.  I thought it was something many have encountered and I wanted to cover the bases.

[Kathyp]

we have used two pruning polls to cut and lower, but it requires two people  ;)

[schawee]

jp and i did some together using a rope with a weight at the end of the rope.just throw the rope over the branch between the bees and the tree .let the rope drop down and grab both ends and shake the branch .it really works.jp has it on one of his videos.    schawee

[AllenF]

jp and i did some together using a rope with a weight at the end of the rope.just throw the rope over the branch between the bees and the tree .let the rope drop down and grab both ends and shake the branch .it really works.jp has it on one of his videos.    schawee

Just make sure you hive is right below the swarm before you shake.   :-D

[danno]

I can reach them up to 30 ft high with my  bucket/paintpole setup. Even higher if I can stand in my truck bed.   

[Tommyt]

 The guy that helps me is a Plumber he has a fitting like this attached to PVC pipe
and 5 gal bucket maybe you can go back and get them 2 lengths of 1 1/2"pipe

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24634&catid=726

Tommyt

[deknow]

i have hoisted two frames of open brood tied together into a tree....the bees cluster between the combs and can then be lowered.
deknow

[Tommyt]

i have hoisted two frames of open brood tied together into a tree....the bees cluster between the combs and can then be lowered.
deknow

Now thats an Idea tie a frame on a Pipe
Hold it up to the swarm
I like it

Tommyt

[Robo]

I've done this standing in the bucket of a loader for additional reach  :-D

[danno]

The guy that helps me is a Plumber he has a fitting like this attached to PVC pipe
and 5 gal bucket maybe you can go back and get them 2 lengths of 1 1/2"pipe

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24634&catid=726

Tommyt

This will work but limits you to something with pipe thread.  Could be conduit that is light but bulky and alittle wabblely when used in lengths longer then 10 ft.   I made something similar useing the threaded butt end of a wooden handled paint roller.  I glued the pc of handle into a plywood disc.  This allows me to use a broom handle or fiberglass telescopeing paint roller handle.  Its light and very ridged.

[G3farms]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

no need to over engineer a bucket on a pole :-D

[sterling]

Simplicity at it's best. All you need is duct tape to put it together on the spot. :)

[Mike Tuggle]

I did not invent this but saw one on a YouTube video and copied it.

1- get a plastic water-cooler bottle (a heavier one would work better than the 'disposable' ones)
2- get/buy a piece of 2" heavyweight PVC pipe.
3- get/buy an 8' wooden closet pole -- cut it in half.
4- carefully cut the bottom off the bottle and smooth the cut edge with sandpaper. (I did it on the table saw up against the fence.  Roll it slowly, with just enough blade exposure to make your line.  Do it in segments so it doesn't pinch.)
5- cut a couple or three 10" pieces out of the PVC pipe.
6- glue a cap onto one of the pieces.
7- mount the capped piece in the mouth of the bottle with Bondo (or similar) auto body filler.
8- after it sets, stick one of the pole pieces into the "mouth" of the bottle and drill a 1/4" hole through the pipe and pole for a long screw or a spring-loaded drift pin.  (You are now ready for a low swarm!)
9- take another one of your 10" PVC pieces and slide it onto the end of the first pole... get the other pole piece and center the two inside the PVC pipe (collar) -- drill two bolt holes like before (one into eich piece).

Yea rah!!!    You are now set for different height swarms and this is more balanced than a non-centered bucket.

[Tommyt]

Honey bee swarm capture using BEE BUCKET


This is it
I think its great

Tommyt

[Larry Bees]

Another great video!  A picture is worth a thousand words. Larry