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 grap. 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. Insert the hose into the top of the bucket.
3. Determine where the vacuum will be placed. Options include backpack carry, laying on ground, strapped to ladder, etc. Note that it should be placed horizontally with the velcro strap holding the containment bucket to the vacuum facing upward. Do not use in the vertical orientation. Place it there and clip the extendable speed-control where it will be handy.
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 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 containment bucket, remove the velcro strap holding the containment bucket to the vacuum housing. Gently rock the two pieces apart until they separate (you will want to clean the middle area to prevent this from getting too difficult). Now remove the hose and 3"-to-1.5" adapter from the containment bucket and put the 3" plug over the opening. You can lay the containment bucket on it's side in the shade for a time.
7. Once you have the brood in your hive body (we recommend a vented bottom underneath it), place them inside your vehicle with your cover which has the 3" adapter attached to it. Use 2 straps to keep the bottom, hive body, and cover secured. You may want something underneath the bottom so the bottom vent is not blocked.
8. In a gentle manner, tap the bucket downward in the vertical orientation to knock bees off the 3" adapter plug. Remove the plug and quickly flip the containment bucket connecting it to the top 3" adapter on your hive cover. You may want to practice this as you may spill bees if you do this awkwardly. We have never had a containment bucket come loose while driving. But use caution and common sense. Avoid things like leaving them in a truck bed where there will be substantial wind. Again, experience matters.
9. Normally most bees have gone into the hive body by the time you get home. A little smoke could encourage them downward, or some tapping. Remove the containment bucket once the bees have gone down. For the hive body cover, we like to make it from plexiglass so we can see what the colony are doing inside. You can replace your cover with a normal one when ready. Do not wait too long as the colony may start building comb on it soon.
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 grap. 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. Insert the hose into the top of the bucket.
3. Determine where the vacuum will be placed. Options include backpack carry, laying on ground, strapped to ladder, etc. Note that it should be placed horizontally with the velcro strap holding the containment bucket to the vacuum facing upward. Do not use in the vertical orientation. Place it there and clip the extendable speed-control where it will be handy.
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 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 containment bucket, remove the velcro strap holding the containment bucket to the vacuum housing. Gently rock the two pieces apart until they separate (you will want to clean the middle area to prevent this from getting too difficult). Now remove the hose and 3"-to-1.5" adapter from the containment bucket and put the 3" plug over the opening. You can lay the containment bucket on it's side in the shade for a time.
7. Once you have the brood in your hive body (we recommend a vented bottom underneath it), place them inside your vehicle with your cover which has the 3" adapter attached to it. Use 2 straps to keep the bottom, hive body, and cover secured. You may want something underneath the bottom so the bottom vent is not blocked.
8. In a gentle manner, tap the bucket downward in the vertical orientation to knock bees off the 3" adapter plug. Remove the plug and quickly flip the containment bucket connecting it to the top 3" adapter on your hive cover. You may want to practice this as you may spill bees if you do this awkwardly. We have never had a containment bucket come loose while driving. But use caution and common sense. Avoid things like leaving them in a truck bed where there will be substantial wind. Again, experience matters.
9. Normally most bees have gone into the hive body by the time you get home. A little smoke could encourage them downward, or some tapping. Remove the containment bucket once the bees have gone down. For the hive body cover, we like to make it from plexiglass so we can see what the colony are doing inside. You can replace your cover with a normal one when ready. Do not wait too long as the colony may start building comb on it soon.
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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