Comments on: Bushkill Bee Vac

By: Robo

Robo — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:16:42 +0000

@Scott

I usually wait until night time temperatures are in the 40s and the bees are bringing in pollen. There are pro and cons to the time of day. I usually like to wait until it warms up so that the brood doesn’t get chilled when not covered with bees. Check out the videos here for some addition tips/suggestions -> http://beevac.com/videos/

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:34:47 +0000

Robo: I purchased your beevac late in the swarm season last year, and I just got a lead on my very first cutout, to be done in the Spring. I have already successfully captured a swarmCan you tell me how warm it should be, what time of day is best and should I be looking to do it early in the AM to get as many foraging bees as possible? In addition, any other tips for a cut out “first timer” using your rig would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

By: Tom Cannon

Tom Cannon — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 23:28:35 +0000

I built your vac using a 5 frame nuc box and so far so good. I use a 3 HP Sear shop vac with weather stripping and after cutting out some brood and putting into frames the bees seem to have a easier time making the transition to a new home. Thanks for sharing this idea with the bee keepers.

By: Robo

Robo — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:45:16 +0000

@Gary R.
To prevent sucking stray bees through the vacuum motor.
rob….

By: Gary R.

Gary R. — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:23:51 +0000

Robo:
Just wondering why a screen is necessary on the top bypass hole, since the bottom of the top section is screened.

By: Robo

Robo — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:03:17 +0000

@Cliff Watterson,

I recommend the biggest you can get/afford. I use 5 to 6.5 HP vacs myself. Yes some have success with as little as 2 HP, but that requires all seams to be tightly sealed and limits the length of hose. With the bigger vac, you can always reduce suction and the hose end by adjusting the bypass gate. The last situation you want to get into is needing one more section of hose to reach but not having enough vac power to use it.

rob…

By: Cliff Watterson

Cliff Watterson — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:42:45 +0000

This looks exactly what I have been looking for here in the UK. I recently removed a swarm for a neighbour from up a tree by knocking the branch allowing the bees to fall into a bucket. Not a great way to do it as the bees flew off, were pretty angry and I had to return several times after they had settled.
I see various comments on motor HP, what do you recommend?

By: Adam Schreiber

Adam Schreiber — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:02:05 +0000

Did my first removal with the Bushkill Vac. It went very well. Very few dead bees. Suction wasn’t great, even with a 5hp vac, but once i duct taped between the supers it made a big difference. I will get some foam weatherstripping to place on the vac boxes for the next try. I blogged about the vac and the removal here -

http://timebeeing.blogspot.com/2011/04/bee-removal-at-oakland-cemetery.html

Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge Rob.

By: Robo

Robo — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:43:54 +0000

Andrew,

Looking forward to your pictures. Yes, you short piece of 1.25″ is sensible. It provides the same advantage as the crevice tool I use.

Rob..

By: Andrew J.

Andrew J. — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:45:04 +0000

Hi Robo,

Thanks for the comments. I tested my arrangement and it worked to my full satisfaction. I realize that a description may be less than clear. A picture is worth 1000 words – I will email pictures soon and will ask for your opinion.

I will not use carpet. Indeed a bee should quickly slow down once in a box.

I had to make one change, please comment. I use 2 1/2″ hose as you recommend, this is the way to go for sure. However, even with 1500W vac with no bag I have found suction at the end of the big hose too low. At the end of the hose I added a very short piece with 1.25″ diameter, just the sucking end. This made the suction quite good and allowed me to lower the speed of bee travel in the big hose. Hope that you might find this a sensible thing to do.

Once again, m,any thanks for all the advice and suggestions.

Andrew