Cutouts are not amateur hour
This page by no means is intended to be a how-to guide for removing an established bee colony. This could be a life-threatening danger to both yourself, other people and animals. And there are countless how-to videos on youtube.
The number one bit of advice is to get a mentor. Join a local Beekeeping club, most are free. They have experienced BK (beekeepers) who are more than willing to help you get started. There are many factors that vary by weather, region, time of year among countless others.
Just getting bees would strongly benefit from a mentor. 80% of new BK leave within 5 years because of errors that could easily be prevented. Most of the time the best thing a BK can do when they see unexpected behavior at their hive is to actually do nothing. Take a picture or video and contact your mentor for guidance. About the only time you need to react immediately is if your hive is floating away down river. The other 99% of the time they are just being bees and you will do more harm than good.
So we want to be clear. This bee vacuum is not a toy. It is not intended for amateur BK who have never done a cutout.
Now let us talk with experienced BK. If you have had bees for a while, you've at least assisted with a cutout or two (or 200), this is for you. You are aware of the enjoyment and challenges of successfully removing a colony from a structure. We are not going to explain all of the details of how to do a cutout, but rather how the Everything Bee Vacuum can help you.
First, the parts list is very short. You keep the vacuum assembled so it's one thing to grab. Add the hose and top to your hive body and that is everything. Everything else is what you would normally take: hive body, empty frames for brood, bottom to hive, straps for hive, etc. Again, we are not going to go through the whole how-to of doing cutouts.
Once you are at the site and ready to remove the colony, follow these steps:
1. Safety first (and all that this entails including protective gear)
2. Open the gate valve and Insert the hose into it.
3. Determine where the vacuum will be placed. Options include backpack carry, setting on ground, strapped to ladder, etc. Note that it should be placed vertically. Place it there and clip the extendable speed-control where it will be handy if applicable.
4.Turn on the vacuum with the speed-control and adjust to your desired vacuum pressure. Note that full speed is only intended for clearing a clog in the hose, short term to suck up large numbers of bees, and not intended for continuous use as it may kill bees. Again this is where experience helps.
5. If you stop vacuuming for an extended period of time, turn the vacuum pressure down to nearly off. This will keep some air flowing over the bees and prevent them from suffocating or overheating.
6. Once complete, or if you need to use a second bucket, remove the hose and close the gate valve.
7. Once you have the brood in your hive body, take a piece of plywood 3/4" thick cut to fit the top of the bucket. Put the plywood under the hive body. Take a second piece of plywood with a 3" screened-over vent hole and put that on top f the hive body. Use 2 straps to hold these 3 pieces together.
8. In a gentle manner, tap the bucket downward in the vertical orientation to knock bees off the basket keeping the bees below. Quickly lift out the basket and toss it aside while putting the hive body assembly over the top of the bucket. You may want to practice this as it will be awkward. But use caution and common sense. For example put the bees in a shaded area in case you forget to remove them in the morning. Again, experience matters.
9. Normally most bees have gone into the hive body by the next morning. Remove the assembly and give the hive a proper top and bottom boards. Note that all the debris and dead bees and such will remain in the bottom of the bucket, now it will be easy to clean that out.
10. Plug your vacuum charger in overnight so it is charged and ready to go your next time.
This is the best procedure we have found. Best methods vary by region and individual. Be sure to become familiar with the equipment before attempting your first cutout. Again, this can be dangerous, prepare and use every safety precaution possible.
The number one bit of advice is to get a mentor. Join a local Beekeeping club, most are free. They have experienced BK (beekeepers) who are more than willing to help you get started. There are many factors that vary by weather, region, time of year among countless others.
Just getting bees would strongly benefit from a mentor. 80% of new BK leave within 5 years because of errors that could easily be prevented. Most of the time the best thing a BK can do when they see unexpected behavior at their hive is to actually do nothing. Take a picture or video and contact your mentor for guidance. About the only time you need to react immediately is if your hive is floating away down river. The other 99% of the time they are just being bees and you will do more harm than good.
So we want to be clear. This bee vacuum is not a toy. It is not intended for amateur BK who have never done a cutout.
Now let us talk with experienced BK. If you have had bees for a while, you've at least assisted with a cutout or two (or 200), this is for you. You are aware of the enjoyment and challenges of successfully removing a colony from a structure. We are not going to explain all of the details of how to do a cutout, but rather how the Everything Bee Vacuum can help you.
First, the parts list is very short. You keep the vacuum assembled so it's one thing to grab. Add the hose and top to your hive body and that is everything. Everything else is what you would normally take: hive body, empty frames for brood, bottom to hive, straps for hive, etc. Again, we are not going to go through the whole how-to of doing cutouts.
Once you are at the site and ready to remove the colony, follow these steps:
1. Safety first (and all that this entails including protective gear)
2. Open the gate valve and Insert the hose into it.
3. Determine where the vacuum will be placed. Options include backpack carry, setting on ground, strapped to ladder, etc. Note that it should be placed vertically. Place it there and clip the extendable speed-control where it will be handy if applicable.
4.Turn on the vacuum with the speed-control and adjust to your desired vacuum pressure. Note that full speed is only intended for clearing a clog in the hose, short term to suck up large numbers of bees, and not intended for continuous use as it may kill bees. Again this is where experience helps.
5. If you stop vacuuming for an extended period of time, turn the vacuum pressure down to nearly off. This will keep some air flowing over the bees and prevent them from suffocating or overheating.
6. Once complete, or if you need to use a second bucket, remove the hose and close the gate valve.
7. Once you have the brood in your hive body, take a piece of plywood 3/4" thick cut to fit the top of the bucket. Put the plywood under the hive body. Take a second piece of plywood with a 3" screened-over vent hole and put that on top f the hive body. Use 2 straps to hold these 3 pieces together.
8. In a gentle manner, tap the bucket downward in the vertical orientation to knock bees off the basket keeping the bees below. Quickly lift out the basket and toss it aside while putting the hive body assembly over the top of the bucket. You may want to practice this as it will be awkward. But use caution and common sense. For example put the bees in a shaded area in case you forget to remove them in the morning. Again, experience matters.
9. Normally most bees have gone into the hive body by the next morning. Remove the assembly and give the hive a proper top and bottom boards. Note that all the debris and dead bees and such will remain in the bottom of the bucket, now it will be easy to clean that out.
10. Plug your vacuum charger in overnight so it is charged and ready to go your next time.
This is the best procedure we have found. Best methods vary by region and individual. Be sure to become familiar with the equipment before attempting your first cutout. Again, this can be dangerous, prepare and use every safety precaution possible.
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