Colorado Bee Vac Complete Review, Swarm Captures and Installs, things to consider. Swarm Vacuum.
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2021
- Welcome beekeepers! In this video, I take you step by step through swarm captures while using a swarm vacuum that is marketed as The Colorado Bee Vac through BetterBee and sells for $285.00 at the time of this video.
This is not a sponsored review, I purchased the vac with no connection to the inventor, Guy Singleton. Nor do I receive any incentive/compensation for bee vac sales.
Adapter Plate (Install bees into any size hive) • Bee Vacuum Hive Instal...
UPDATE ON COLONIES COLLECTED: As of 9/27/2021 the colonies are doing very well, the ground swarm had to be supported with new brood frames (frames with nurse bees and capped brood), as they were too small to make it on their own. I continue to be impressed by this vac collection system and plan to use it going forward.
I bought mine here: www.betterbee.com/beekeeping-...
UPDATE: A newer demonstration of this vac: • Honey Bee Swarms in ti...
I highly recommend that you add the following items to your bee vac kit:
1) You will benefit from an escape board when doing your install and getting the bees out of the capture box.
2) I highly recommend getting a long heavy-duty extension cord on a reel so you can make use of nearby power sources.
3) For remote locations, I recommend a long extension cord and a generator as far from the swarm location as possible. Batteries just don't last long enough for meaningful swarm collections, particularly if they are large, or if you plan to collect multiple swarms in a single run.
4) Consider obtaining a clear semi-transparent intake tube so you can see if you have a clog developing and can determine where it is.
Thank you David S. for providing this link: www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-...
5) Consider getting a longer intake hose, it comes with a 10' 1 1/2" diameter hose with smooth interior surfaces that don't injure your bees. The manufacturer states that you can use up to a 30 foot hose.
If you want to learn more about the Hyfe-Gate entrances, please follow this link: www.fredsfinefowl.com/hyfegat...
BeeSmart Insulated Inner Cover can be purchased here (this is not an affiliate link, I receive nothing for sending you here): www.betterbee.com/wooden-hive...
If you find a clear intake tube, please post your links in the comment section, would be nice to have that.
Hi Fred, Guy Shingleton here and I really enjoyed your video. As you know I retired and passed the manufacturing and sales to Better Bee and they have been doing a great job. Few comments: the black suction tubes are not that much of a concern with the exception of two problems. Main problem as you pointed out is trying to vacuum to many bees at one time, slow and steady and you can even bump up the vacuum pressure more to move them through the tube and hose more quickly. You have more patience than I do vacuuming bees. Important! Keep tube and hose clean! Swarms are carrying honey with them clean after each capture. Dirty hose and tube will result in clogs. Keep hose straight as possible, no circles or “U” turns in the hose. Will kill bee’s and cause clogs. The advantage you will have with the black tubes is you can purchase additional lengths to carry with you and makes it’s length easily adjustable. I have vacuumed swarms 10-12’ from the ground without the need for a ladder. And for people doing attic removals DO NOT vacuum bees off insulation! You will suck up the insulation and potentially ruin your vacuum, a very expensive mistake. It is for vacuuming bees, not insulation, saw dust, dirt, etc. Thanks again for doing the video and glad that you liked the vacuum.
Hi Guy! Thank you for stopping in and giving some key instruction. Yes, a fresh-water rinse has worked wonders. I did get clear tubing and attached an extension for longer reach. It's still my favorite system. I really appreciate its design and practical function.
Does that mean if I'm in Colorado I can't swing by and buy one? :) I thought about doing this on my next trip out there to save on shipping lol.
Loved the slomo on the bees going into the hose
Very good video… hope you had a few bottles of cold mead handy as a refreshment during this presentation 😉🤭🍻
Fred, great video and great review! Your narration is always top notch.
Thanks Don, always nice to see your comments!
Very fun video to watch. Watching a honey bee a day keeps the doctor away.
Excellent review 👏 As always you are very thorough. Thank you sir!
This is a very good looking piece of kit. Thank you for your thorough review. I find myself in need of a vac. I will give this model some consideration.
Glad it was helpful to you, there are some great designs out there to choose from.
Mr. Dunn thank you thank you so much for this video I love the way you explain things about the items you were evaluating not only did I love the video on the products but your voice is not irritating it sounds like a great teaching voice or evaluating voice which I enjoyed listening to but all in all I really enjoyed this video thank you for evaluating those products I am a brand new beginner I have not purchased any bees or purchased anything yet I want to make sure this is something I want to do part time. Enclosing God bless you sir and I pray to Jesus Christ to bring you lots of love peace and prosperity for your family and friends and I hope everything goes great for you please keep up the great work take care ✝️✝️✝️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I've bought clear SCH40 PVC in the past for projects where I needed PVC sizing to match. But poly acrylic tubing would be cheaper if it would fit in the end of the of the hose. Thinner walled but should be pretty durable still.
You blew into the tube?!?! You’re a braver man than I Gunga Din.
I waited for the bees to clear the end first :)
Great idea with the bee escape! I like that you can see if any of the bees were damaged by the vacuum.
Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation on the benefits of the Colorado Bee Vac. I'm much closer to purchasing one.
As of today's pricing, swimming pool vacuum hose is about $1.25/ft from Amazon. Amazon also has clear acrylic tube moderately cheap. Or T12 fluorescent tube covers from the box store. Bit soft, but dirt cheap. 2pk of 4 footers is $14 at Depot. Get a longer section to cut and mold in shorts and longs. Quick touch with a heat gun to shape it. I often use a power inverter attached with jumper cables to my truck, in the boonies. *bump the idle speed up. 1500W from Coleman.
I love to watch the march. Awesome review. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
That was awesome. You did a fine job. It doesn’t seem long at all. Very informed. Thanks
Glad you liked it! This has quicly become my favorite swarm gathering system :)
Great to see a different way to capture a swarm of bees 🐝. Thanks Fredrick awesome TrickyTrev 🇦🇺👍🐝🍯
Glad you enjoyed it, I'm glad to have this resource.
Looks great. Two thumbs up for the gorilla cart. I love mine for moving bee equipment.
I'm definitely a fan of those carts! The grandsons can pull them around very easy with those large tires.
Great video Fredrick, some really innovative ideas. Great commentary as well.
Thank you so much, Karl!
The vac looked great and easier on the bees compared to shaking them, good test video!
Truly a 5 Star video!!! You where perfect with everything you where explaining ✅ I will put your experience into practice here!! THANKS!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the informative video on the bee vac. Also the information on the hive gates.
Dave
Glad it was helpful!
Really interesting video Fred, thanks.
You're welcome Simon :)
Hi, Fred. Interesting piece of equipment. I think a clear 2 or 3" acrylic tube is what you want. It's what I have on my gravel vacuum for the fish tank. They sell them on Amazon in 3 or even 4 foot lengths.
I like that bee escape because it will also keep leaves and other detritus that gets sucked up by the vac from falling into the hive.
I made one with a cordless vac and a plastic box. I haven’t used it yet! Not many swarms this year and none that were suitable for vacuuming. You’ve got some useful tips here. Thanks.
Hi Stephen, I was really excited when I made my own cordless vac-style hive vac, but the system just didn't have the power I hoped it would and even the most expensive batteries were good for about 15 minutes max. It needed to run full power and had a 1" intake.
Fantastic video. Thank you!
Glad you liked it! I really enjoy using this vac still. Once your settings are good, it's just a grab-and-go unit.
Great video of a great product!
Thank you!
Great video. I'm busy gathering info on bee vacs, and this looks like a decent design.
I'm still very happy with it and have two of the capture boxes and the extended suction hose. Very handy and it's a self-contained bee transport system. I still recommend this vac.
Hello Fred, I just happened to come by this on Better Bee's website. Great job! I'm glad you mentioned not using the cordless vac, because I purchased one too for this specific purpose a few years ago, lol. I'm with you, I don't think it would be worth my time and resources to try and build one of these. I know that it wouldn't turn out as well either. Thanks Fred.
Hi Dan! I was speaking at a conference down in West Virginia just ove a week ago. BetterBee had a vendor display there and the Colorado Bee Vac was there. They have modified it, and removed that pvc valve for flow control. Now they have a gate that's installed on the lid which does away with the valve. They made it even more simply. I will say that it has made my swarm collecting life so much easier, and when I see that cluster on or near the ground, I'm done in 10 minutes. I've stopped installing the VAC box on the hive and pulling out the tray, instead, I park it against the landing board of the hive I want to put them in, I scoop some bees into that hive and then observe them walking in. It's very satisfying. BUT, if you can't be there to observe every stage of that, then parking it on the hive is best. I have two of the deep collection boxes just in case I come across a multiple-swarm situation, or two calls at once. :) Great to see your comment, and thank you for all the great work you do as my top moderator on The Way To Bee :)
Fred I made mine. It has a 10 frame hive box under vacuum head. Then under hive box is the catch ramp all is held together by ratchet strap.
Yes, all of the parts are available, and you can certainly make your own. I'd make an 8-frame catch box also, but instead I just made an adapter cover. Thanks for sharing.
Very good 👍
This would work wonders for swarms in small holes
Very cool.
this was super helpful. saw this online and wasn’t sure if it lived up to the price.
You are very welcome, I still enjoy this system and sprung for the longer hose and a spare box. Makes the hiving process very easy and I'm still impressed. One thing, after a couple of uses, it's important to flush the hose with cold fresh water to keep it unobstructed.
Appreciated the observations. Ian Steppler has a supplier of cone wood frame escape boards.
Such a small swarm this time of year, maybe a Nuc instead of a 10 frame? Ventilation. We put several Vivaldi boards on large hives looking for reduction of night bearding. Jury is still out.
Thank you.
The nucs are just too small around here, I've hived small swarms in September in the past and a single 10-frame deep seems to work well here. Elsewhere where there may be fewer environmental resources, smaller may work better. I don't think I want to winter a nucleus hive here. If you have a link to that escape board that Ian uses, please share the link, I'd like to look into those. Thanks Michael!
Nice bee vacuum Fred!! I have a home made one that seems to do really well. Thanks!
Thanks Rodnay! Yes, there are lots of do it yourself versions out there and many members of our association use those. This one has me onboard with vacs. I also sprang for the extra collection box and longer hose.
@@FrederickDunn I use a old pool vacuum hose to go from my shop vac to the collection box and it keeps the noise a good ways from me with a inverter to power it when commercial power isn't available. I think I have $25 and some time invested in it.
Nice inspiring video ... I might try to build a bee vac ... one Hive Gate suggestion ... instead of placing the two wood end plugs in loose, if you drill a couple holes in the galvanized Hive Gate component, you could screw the blocks to the Hive Gate ... then there is no need to screw the Hive Gate to the deep frame ... you just slide it into place ... I haven't found the small amount of propolis on the wood blocks to be any impediment to quickly removing the Gate. Cheers Farmer John, Ontario Canada
Great suggestion, but they glue those bits in place within a day or two and it's screwed to the slatted rack, not the hive box itself. There are lots of options for closing those ends in and thanks for sharing what you've done.
Good system thank you
Thanks for watching! :)
I love bees. 🐝🐝🐝
Notice a number of apiarists' channels using this with good results.
I would definitely suggest you seek out clear tubes used for CENTRAL VACUUM systems. Home Depot tends to have clear tubes in various materials. Easily adaptable to your hose.
If I were to undertake something like this I would certainly go with a higher volume, lower speed. Clear 3" wand with bristle end (used for dust extractors for woodworking), 3" vacuum, smooth ID, hose.
Lots of great ideals and insights!
Thanks, as always, for sharing, Mr Dunn!
(The Volkswagon Beetle Effect in full.. effect. I notice so many tradesmen using those Gorilla Carts: Any chance you could give us your take on it? Seems stout, with commensurate cost)
Lots of videos are already out on those gorilla carts, I really like them, and they turn tight. For apiary work, they are perfect as they are also very tall and put equipment at a very convenient height. Thanks for the clear intake ideas.
I made mine with two buckets and bit of fly screen mesh. Cost me nothing. And it is light! Thanks for video
I'm glad you have something that works. I actually like the weight of this system as it makes it more stable and enjoy the matchup with standard hive equipment when transferring.
mr dunn why don't u design a custom escape board! id buy that!
guess ill have to round up components, nice video
Definitely an easy do it yourself project for those with the time.
Great evaluation, Fred.
I reckon if you have trouble getting a clear pipe, you could just drill a load of holes in the black one and then wrap it in cling film. That would avoid presenting an adhesive surface to the inside which might capture and injure the bees, while sticking quite adequately to itself, aided by the vacuum inside. Just make sure to de-burr the holes so that bees going past can't slam against any burrs and get injured that way.
Additional capture boxes would definitely be a good plan, particularly as swarms tend to happen in clusters when the season and weather are optimal.
Is there any reason not to capture directly into a brood box? Just leave out the frames directly in the path of the air-flow until shortly afterwards and have a bottom board with no entrance during the capture.
I like the escape board, and to avoid problems with the warpage leaving gaps, you could always enclose it in a shim, sized the same as a telescoping cover to slip over the capture box at the top and the hive box at the bottom. You could even have inserts for that to reduce it to an 8-frame or nuc box according to the size of the swarm.
Or fabricate an escape board from scratch using the same principles, of course.
I am pretty sure those black couplers are Buna-N, real sturdy stuff. I am flabberghasted~!! I use a vacuum to evacuate Wasp nests. They do not survive the journey to the body of the vacuum. You must dial back the exhaust way down with that PVC valve. Clear Tube? That's easy google 1.5" polycarbonate tubing. There's loads of plastic suppliers who will sell you lengths of the stuff. Connecting it to the flex hose will be your only challange.
Nice, ty
Thank you for sharing sir. I
You are very welcome.
Hello Frederick if you have a Lowe’s Hardware go back in the plumbing section they have big rolls of clear rubber hose of all sizes . I think the best I can remember there is hose near the size you would need . They sale it by the foot so you can get a little or a lot . The Lowe’s we have here in NC it is near the plastic fittings . Hope this will help you. Keep up the great work an video’s. Thanks
Really like the Bee Vac!!! I also really like the long blue entrances--what where they called again? They sort of act like The Guardian, yet they won't prevent SHBs from entering through. Great video.
Hi Brad, have you actually witnessed SHBs traveling through the HyfeGate entrances? They have to get past many guards going that route.
@@FrederickDunn Oh sorry for the confusing. I don't have any of them on my hives. I was just saying there is nothing to stop a SHB from walking in over that little lip. As where with The Guardian they would have to hover, which they can't. Thats all.
I would be interested in knowing if that HIVEGATE can stop them. I don't think so personally. And as for getting past the guard bees, I would believe they still would make it past, but what do I know. But this has certainly peeked my interest. Could this prevent swarming? And does it is difficult for the bees inside to find their way out? Where is the light showing them they way with the entrance blocked by using it? Also, could this be kept on during winter? I do think this could be helpful for winter drafts? Thanks for all the education you give.
Hi Fred, I really enjoy your videos as they are very informative to this now 3rd year Keep. You seem to always strive for concise information and references yet deliver in a way that most should be able to comprehend.
I have purchased this Bee Vac for this year as I had a hive swarm (last July) to a nearby larch tree some 20ft up just outside my apiary. Not wanting to lose it, I manned up, called a neighbor for moral support, and set about climbing an extension ladder with a swarm box and loppers to retrieve the swarm. Success! And no STINGS! So, this year, after seeing this review, I purchased the Colorado Bee Vac.
My question to you, after having yours for several years now, have you had a concern with small debris vacuuming through the #8 screen, the 1/4" pegboard, and clogging the vacuum itself since there doesn't appear to be any accessible filtration?
I was thinking of using paint filter bags between the collection box and upper box. Thoughts?
I have not had any issues with bits of leaves, grass, or other tiny parts clogging the peg board area. BUT, I haven't been paying very much attention to that. Becuase there is no filter in place, any small bits should, in theory, just blow right back out through the exhaust port. Thanks for the nice comment!
@@FrederickDunn Thank you for your response. After thinking it through a bit more, if it's primarily being used for swarm recovery, and not cutouts, there probably wouldn't be a great deal of debris that could clog things up.
I love inventors
Agreed! Innovators should reap their rewards.
Hello Fred, another awesome video! Thanks for sharing all this info. I would like to ask, how do you collect bees that are inside a stone wall of a house. Can't just make a hole into that wall. Thought about smoking them. Will they simply act like a normal swarm and settle somewhere nearby on a tree when i smoke them? Greetings from Germany
You're talking about a trap-out situation. There are many videos about that on UA-cam... trap out cone made from #8 hardware cloth and another box for the exiting bees to enter and take up residence in. It can take weeks.
clear dust collection hose. Woodcraft or Rockler or any woodworking stores
I'm still trying to make it thru all of your videos so I'm not asking questions you already answered but I'm curious, with your horizontal hive, if you would add the vents in the bottom again seeing as how they just filled them in? Or do you think having a bottom you can fit trays in or putting in a screen bottom would be helpful or better. We are still waiting for wool to make our insulated horizontal hive and I'm trying to take advantage of my very talented husband and make any modifications that have been brought up by the various users of them I've seen. Thank you!
I would definitely have a couple of trays underneath with 1/8" screen. Being able to pull trays and see if there are varroa mites in them would be very helpful. They should be enclosed, or capable of being closed with trays inside.
@@FrederickDunn so the modifications I'm going to work into the plans from horizontal hives for the insulated box i think will be- 1. A space between insulated bottom for trays with a hinged access on the back. 2. Screened bottom. 3 possible a little more room inside so bees can move between frames on side walls. 4 space between top and racks for those rough cut wood pieces so I can leave parts covered if I want to while working on it. 5 I would really like to incorporate a landing. I have found I really enjoy sitting and watching them on the landing. Its absolutely amazing. All the time I've spent planning for bees I never thought about the sheer joy of just watching them!
btw, there are transparent tubes for aquarium vacuum cleaners but they are a bit shorter
Where did you buy the blue reducer entrance protector from? I would like to buy a couple for my new hive
You can learn more about those and there is a buying link also - www.fredsfinefowl.com/hyfegatetestingprogress.html
Hi Fred - late comment, because I just started using my Colorado Bee Vac for swarms. SO much easier. Thank you for you review. Have you reviewed the ‘Annalise Method’ for release into the new hive? Guy recently posted an update with it, and I found it because I could not get a swarm to move down, even with an escape board. Trying to button up the hive turned a little chaotic. The new method seems to work better, and I can put a feeder box with hive alive on top while they are moving up to encourage them, in addition to Bettercomb. I didn’t have a spare resource frame this time, but I would normally provide that as well.
I haven't seen that method, will have to look into it some day. I like just having the bees walk in these days :) But you can never have too many options as they can always do something new.
Dear Fred: after a second attempt with the Annalise method, I do not recommend it - especially with a large swarm in hot weather. The bees covered the screen (on the bottom) in the bee vac box, and even though I had a top feeder box and top ventilation, i am guessing it wasn’t enough air flow with the mass of bees covering the screen. I am mainly angry at myself because I knew it wasn’t enough ventilation, but I thought with the rain and clouds I though they would be fine for a few overnight. They mostly all perished in the bee vac box. I opened the door and placed the bed vac in front of the hive to be let the stragglers hook up with the bees who did move up into the frames. I agree with your “letting them walk in” method would reduce the possibility of things going wrong since the hive structure isn’t affected.
a clear all the way hose would be excellent,,u could see any jam ups
Would be nice, but triple that cost... it's working great, so no complaints here. :)
I use 1@1/2in. Pvc pipe for hives in high places. I have 10 ft. Pvc that I put together to reach up high 20 ft. Is all i can handle.. pvc is stiff enough but hard to handle at times
Nice one, any idea how many bees from the first large swarm died in the process?
There were no dead bees in the first box. zero... I was impressed.
Put the collection box upside down on the bottom Board and below the hive body. The bees will all move up into the hive in a matter of minutes.
Thanks, the escape board method works best for me, that eliminates needing to shift the bottom board and slatted rack around. But thanks for that suggestion. When reviewing a product, I like to use it as the inventor(s) specify and go from there.
You should try checking out TAP Plastic they are out of California. Great video.
Thanks for the tip!
I like this design....
Where do you get your stand frames?
Those hive supports are from BetterBee... heavy duty and are great for a fast setup!
@@FrederickDunn Thansk a ton.... Thank you for such an informative channel.
Guess my comment of links got deleted
May do a diy vac next year
Thanks for another great video
They were not in the held for review area, so no idea what happened to your links.
How do you disperse the bees into an 8 frame??? Oh I just saw the 8/10 frame adaptor online.
I have an adapter plate that I put the collection box on, it's sized for a nucleus opening, so it works for 8 frame boxes as well. I show it in the video: ua-cam.com/video/gcVkkgrUntk/v-deo.htmlsi=InwWOEgdpDsK42rs
Great review. Thanks. To much $$$ for me. I will adapt mine to include a ventilated screen. I would probably just shake the bees out into a fresh hive, just as though they had been gathered in a skep in the usual way.
Just one of many options. There are lots of home made bee vacs that work nicely.
are you and Better Bee based in colorado? it would be cool, thats where i am, most of the youtubers i watch are in other states.
Nope, BetterBee is in New York, and I'm in PA. It's called the Colorado Bee Vac, I think because it was part of the Colorado Bee Rescue program?
@@FrederickDunn thanks for the info
another reason my wife will barme from youtube i'm gettin one of these. i have a bucket style and get lots of dead init.
I get that from several viewers :) sorry the bucket system didn't work out for you. I've never tried one of those.
What about just turning the box upside down. Framed boxed above. Then wouldn’t the bees move up onto the frames. Just wondering
Yes, that's another method many are using. I find it easier to just pull off the top box after they have moved down and leave the bottom box and landing board in place. BUT, yes, that method also works.
@@FrederickDunn I went to lay paper in between the lid and box on my vac. Guess what. Can’t get it off. I am sure how to get it off without ruining the gasket. Any ideas. Does better bee have spare parts. 😳. I bought mine from the gentleman who built it
Bee smart inner covers are sold out.
What???? (';')( ';')... did you go to their website, or some other site? Thanks Michael.
I just sent them an email and asked where they are available. Thanks for the heads up.
What variety of golden rod do you have?
several varieties... they are on all of them. cosmos are a strong pollen source this year also.
White dot at 24:03.
Just a couple of questions: you didn't say what the actual cause of the jam was when trying to collect the ground swarm, and you didn't say what you did to clear the jam. Thx.
Actually he said both of those things in the video.
Yep, the bees themselves clogged the rigid extension tube and I said I blew into the end and that freed them up. :) So, don't put it directly into the mass of bees but rather rake across them and there will be no clogs.
Okay. Sorry, I guess it didn't sink in.
Fred you might cut slots in black hose and cover with clear plastic.
Nice idea, but I want the intake tube to be clear, the hose didn't present a clog problem.
@@FrederickDunn Peter probably meant cutting a slot in the black plastic tube, and covering the slot with clear plastic.
you might want to measure the discharge air temp as those fans can generate quite a lot of heat with prolonged use
That would be something nice to know, the bees did well, the larger swarm had no losses and they were in the box the longest.
dave i dont think you understand vacs and how they are working. the disch heat is exit not entrance so bees in boxes dont get that temp if you understand vacs you would know how that works box of bees will always be outside temp not vac exhast temp. nothing to worry about mr dunn!
I understand perfectly how these systems work, you may want to think about it a little longer
@@svgs650r loll one of us is thinkin the other isnt tell me how heat from exhst gets back into the intake?????? smh
I purchased and used this vacuum today, All my bees died it looked like it was sucking the honey as well. All bees were wet n sticky.😞😓
You really have to watch the intake valve/bypass. I would start with it almost completely open and then very gradually close it down bit by bit until you have the suction necessary. If it was closed up. or almost closed, it can definitely damage the bees as you've described.
Batteries dont last! Bring a generator? Or.... bring more batteries.
If it's too far from an elecricity source, I also carry the Everything Bee Vac...
Complicated
You can still just shake them into a box or net :) or use a brush to sweep them off a building etc...
@@FrederickDunn i have veri long aluminium stik in 3 part 5m, and very thin and long circilar net on end i get them from ground very easily.
That is simple tool that works well and easy to be on hand every time 😉.
@@landro9369 Sounds like you have a great system and you won't be needing electricity for that.