HOW TO Make a Bee Vacuum | Quick and Easy

Welcome to RidgeLife. In this video, we make a simple and economical bee vac for recovery honey bees from cutouts and hard to reach swarms.
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Tim Roberts
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PO Box 316
Oakland, TN 38060
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[@scottreese5492]

Awesome, glad I found you, I figured if I buy one more bee tool I figured I gonna be in trouble. I've got all that stuff laying around and fixing to build just like you did. I got a call for extraction out of a 109yr old House 18ft off Ground. Gotta get one of those built asap. Thanks and stay Repentant. the Judge is coming soon for His own that have truly surrender to His will. If we lose our life for Jesus He promises eternal life, PRAISE GOD , serve the KING.

[@RidgeLife]

I'd make suction valve on container smaller or better damper and glue some foam in for a landing pad so no bees injured. Good luck!

[@user-xy1ll5mq4s]

I've been thinking about this, thanks for sharing, happy bee hunting ❤

[@RidgeLife]

Welcome!

[@nateblazek3671]

A parts list would be awesome! I'm trying to make one now. Great video!

[@RidgeLife]

Thank you very much. I would go with a better slide disc for the valve as I had to cover better to get good suction sometimes. Good luck!

[@telioty]

Seconded, a parts list would be really helpful to make this build.

[@beefriendlychannel7965]

It depends on the vacuum you have. The plumbing section has reducers and elbows that can be added to soften the landing even more if you're thoughtful of how a waterslide works. Bring in the hose, and find parts that fit. Shower drain kit might even be an option.

[@thhomasmarks]

1 shop vac do?

[@trevoredgley4674]

Do you think you could send a parts list please im trying to build one

[@kathyhathaway8823]

The idea is very good. I like the clear tote most of all that way you can see in it so if there are any problems with the bees an the problem can be fixed easily before you open it an find bee soup . THANKS

[@RidgeLife]

I’d add a foam pad inside to cushion the bees and a better air valve after using it.

[@user-cp2sx8gp2z]

I like your see through tote, im gona make one.

[@RidgeLife]

Good luck!

[@CynthiasCraftsandmore]

Very cool. Happy Bee Hunting! Thank you for sharing! Hugs and love to you and your family. ❤️✝🤗 Have a beautiful and blessed week. God Bless ❤️✝🤗

[@RidgeLife]

Thank you Cynthia!

[@LiliansGardens]

This is an effective equipment and it's so simple to put together.

[@RidgeLife]

Thank you Lilian!

[@LiliansGardens]

@@RidgeLife My pleasure.

[@FowlerFamilyFarm]

Great concept, looks easy enough. God Bless and have a great week

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks, you too!

[@nuttinfancy8867]

It worked great!! Saved us so much time and money. We got 11 pounds of bees out of the garage wall. Thank you for the video

[@RidgeLife]

That's great!

[@bctiger86]

Another options (does cost a bit more) but go to harbor freight and buy a portable shop vac along with the bauer 5gal bucket adapter. That way its cordless which in most cases would be needed. The adapter needs miner screen augmentation, but thats it.

[@RidgeLife]

Good points.

[@outdoorstudios2022]

I think to myself on how much I see that cap Anthony wears from country road cure on the 41.36, I need to get over here and check this channel out.

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks so much!

[@WestTennessee]

Now we need to see it in action!☺️👍🏻😎

[@RidgeLife]

You will FRIDAY! Ha!

[@maryranch5329]

Nice job Tim👍. Will be definitely looking forward to see how it goes. Have a Blessed day 💞👍

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks, you too!

[@MorrisPatchofHeavenhomestead]

Very clever set up Tim, thanks for sharing! happy beekeeping my friend . Blessings

[@RidgeLife]

Thank you! Have a great day!

[@GreenHorn1Acre]

That is a cool recovery vacuum...

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks Eric!

[@007moma]

I want to go to Lowe’s and pick up all these things. I need a bee vacuum so badly. I keep borrowing others machines. Thanks for the video!!

[@RidgeLife]

You are so welcome!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Hey friend. I’ve got a tree that has to come down asap and it’s full of honeybees. I’m going to binge watch all your videos about bees

[@RidgeLife]

Vaccuum works great or trap out works too. I haven’t recorded a trap out yet.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

@@RidgeLife removing those bees was crazy Cutting Bees Out Of a Tree - This Was Awesome kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmiulYOkoNubi6M

[@lilahnewton7940]

I'm sharing this with friends of mine who is into bee keeping. They're off grid so as long as they can plug in the vacuum to a generator they should be good. I know they'll love this, thank you!!!

[@RidgeLife]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@AuntieAnn]

Wow that's pretty genius 👍. Great job, I'm looking forward to seeing how well you vacuum up the bees 👊

[@RidgeLife]

Thank you! Very soon!

[@MountainRoots]

Now that's pretty nifty!

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks! It was a fun build.

[@floridachickstinyadventures]

I love a good DIY!!

[@RidgeLife]

Oh, yeah!

[@carolynmesser7199]

Bee purée lol

[@RidgeLife]

Yuck!

[@mpedmar9701]

What a great idea ! Looking forward to seeing your upcoming videos with this in action ! Stay happy, healthy, hydrated and safe. May God continue to bless you and your family.

[@RidgeLife]

Thank you Margie!

[@Rancourt762]

I like the concept of using the damper to adjust the suction power. But I would like to see a little sturdier of a design, I feel this would not last long in the bed of a truck bouncing around with other equipment. I think I am going to try to build one that uses a 5 gallon bucket and incorporate some of the features like the damper from here. Thank you for the video.

[@RidgeLife]

Absolutely! Maybe try a 7 gallon bucket if you can find one.

[@gumjidio4844]

Fantastic video! Thanks for taking a lot of the guesswork out of the equation.

[@RidgeLife]

My pleasure!

[@PADLifeOutdoors]

That is awesome...can’t wait for the video of you using this on the bees

[@RidgeLife]

Very soon!

[@MyAlabamaFarmLife]

That is pretty cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@RidgeLife]

You bet!

[@BlanchardsBees]

On my to do list in the near future

[@RidgeLife]

Very easy and works great. I would make a better damper window though.

[@staniel01]

Great video, just checking see if anyone posted a parts list.

[@RidgeLife]

Sorry just description of each pet from Lowe’s in video.

[@alisbazaar]

Excellent work, will make mine same, thanks

[@RidgeLife]

Good luck!

[@jerrywilson1775]

I made one very similar but I added some blue air conditioning filter material in line with the intake so that the bees dont slam into the inside wall.

[@RidgeLife]

I like it. Thx!

[@TheLaLaFarm]

That is a really cool design Tim. I especially like the adjustability of it. Nice job!! - Rick

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks a bunch! I show it in action FRIDAY!!!

[@tinaladybug8392]

Good morning!

[@RidgeLife]

Morning!

[@dawnweck]

Very clever Tim. Now go save some bees. Hugs to Y'all

[@RidgeLife]

That's the plan! Thanks!

[@allenvarnon8559]

If you silicone a 2” thick foam on back wall It seems to keep them from bouncing of hard wall.

[@RidgeLife]

Nice! I like it.

[@SunnieDIY]

That is pretty awesome.

[@RidgeLife]

Glad you think so!

[@FrugalFixerSpike]

Nice job, Tim!

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks!

[@hickoryhives8372]

Thanks man, I have to make one fo show!

[@RidgeLife]

Good luck!

[@CastleHives]

Seems very easy to build. I'll have to keep this in mind if I ever need one. I've been asked to do cutouts and such, passed each time.

[@RidgeLife]

Very easy!

[@time2fly2124]

i pass on cutouts every time. where i live you need to be insured to be tearing into walls and stuff, even if you both agree not to put it back together. not worth it for me.

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

Nice design.

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks!

[@VanLifeVoyages]

Very nice work.

[@RidgeLife]

Thank you very much!

[@GoneWildKennels]

I will try this. I will use a drill too make the vent holes instead.

[@RidgeLife]

Good luck. I recommend a damper disc over the screen too.

[@GoneWildKennels]

@@RidgeLife thank you for the new tip. I will definitely do that. FYI I'm a new bee keeper in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. My rancher neighbor that has 25000 acres has given me access to 340 acres of alfalfa with a private access rd and on the other side of the alfalfa is a lake. The crop is on irrigation and cut twice. Should be one heck of a honey flow. We don't get going for another 3 weeks. Shit still snow on the ground. Lol

[@scotthenderson4376]

Looks good but I would add more holes for ventilation/vacuum and glue screen to the inside with a larger cover circle (cover the screen from outside). Connect with a small bolt to slide it open /close also works for vacuum pressure adjustment When your done open them up for transport. think I'll make one great idea

[@RidgeLife]

I like it. Thank you.

[@WybleFamilyAdventures]

This is so neat great video

[@RidgeLife]

Thank you 🤗

[@spudgn]

I will build this in the Philippines as I plan to raise honey bees and stingless bees. I’m told that swarms are usually poisoned. Better to make them domestic live stock and use their trates to serve the farming community

[@RidgeLife]

Nice! Good luck!

[@BeylasBees]

Good video Im removing a temperamental colony from a 200yr old church and I think I’ll have to do this for the remaining bees

[@RidgeLife]

I’d recommend a smooth bore hose of larger diameter. I’d also use a larger plastic disc for a valve. It worked great though!

[@BeylasBees]

@@RidgeLife I appreciate the recommendation

[@henrygreene599]

Nice. Would have liked to see the construction of the two adapters.

[@RidgeLife]

Sorry! I just put together parts at Lowe's.

[@yoyo-po4tt]

Big vac splatter them on the wall Lol 😆 🤣 😂 bee smoothie just add ice

[@RidgeLife]

Not with my vac. Didn’t kill any. Pretty amazing. Adding some foam would be better at higher suctions this worked great. Thx.

[@BackroadsArtStudio]

Great video. I know nothing about bees (except I am allergic and I love honey). But it looks like a good bee-napping solution :). Have a blessed day, Sherry

[@RidgeLife]

Thank you! It was pretty intense.

[@loupeohana]

Mahalo, great ideas ❤

[@RidgeLife]

Glad you like them!

[@NoneyaTexasontheback20]

Mornin

[@RidgeLife]

Good Day!

[@kurtlangeberg1329]

Yeah, will echo the sentiment about a parts list. Might suggest locating the nozzle side towards the top so the bees are less likely to crawl back out the tube once the vacuum is shut off. Definitely looks like an easy project though.

[@RidgeLife]

Yeah. I should have thanks!

[@kurtlangeberg1329]

I built mine over the course of the last two days. It did take a little time at HD walking between the vacs and the plumbing aisle but I figured it out. The general concept you gave worked great though. I now have a bee vac that works pretty damn good.

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

That is awesome Tim. I need to get some bees again. I tried some bee lure last year but it didn’t work.

[@RidgeLife]

You should! I hope to catch some swarms this year too!

[@eyepoppincheesesteaks4132]

What did you use for the adaptor pieces. How do you keep bees in box for transport when you disconnect hose

[@RidgeLife]

I just found fittings and Lowe’s that would work. I used duct tape to seal for transport

[@downunderfulla6001]

Neat idea 🍺🍺

[@RidgeLife]

Oh yeah!

[@Hungry_Tree_Ghost]

Monitoring well screens will work great for your slotted tube. They come pre-slotted, with different sized slots, and different sized diameter pvc. Just Google "monitoring well screen". If you end up not seeing what you want as far as slots, or diameter, you can search the websites more, but they fall under the category "well supplies". You can cut them to size, and use either a pvc cap, or expandable j-plug of the same diameter as the screen to plug off one end. Here is an example of a 5ft x 2in monitoring well screen: "2" x 5' PVC Well Screen, .010, Sch40 Male x Female Threads" www.shop-esp.com/2-x-5-PVC-Well-Screen-010-Sch40-brMale-x-Female-Threads-2TPI-P261.aspx Hope this helps - former environmental driller.

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks for the info!

[@bctiger86]

I dont see the video where you used it? Also what did you cap it with once you took the hose off for transporting.

[@RidgeLife]

Should be the next video for in beekeeping playlist. FedEx bees. I used duct tape l.

[@beefriendlychannel7965]

If you build a bridge and a step stool, a person could march them in right from the tote.

[@RidgeLife]

Nice! I’ve seen that! So cool.

[@beefriendlychannel7965]

@@RidgeLife The reason I'm here is because I got a cutout on the fly. It failed because I wasn't equipped, and money is already tight. Edit: That won't happen a second time.

[@RidgeLife]

@@beefriendlychannel7965 yeah! I wish I had had the vacuum on my first attempt!

[@beefriendlychannel7965]

@@RidgeLife it was a circus. Dude was a detective at home as well as on the job. He called me a gypsy. I'm a beekeeper. Duh. All joking aside, he called someone else because he was worried about the noise. The other guy showed up at about noon, and took the colony before I could get off work. Jokes on him. When I went back to get my nuc, the bees were back. "Will you at least take these? I have a birthday party scheduled for tomorrow morning!" Me: "Sorry, mate. Got some snake oil to sell, Homie. Call that other guy back and see if he works nights." City fellers.

[@hlyautey]

It would be better if your bypass were in the line between the box and the shopvac to reduce the airflow inside the box. I would also use a large screen instead of your slotted tube to reduce velocity and not suck bees against the pipe.

[@RidgeLife]

Luckily, no bees were sucked to the pipe when I used it. I like the ideas!

[@419outdoors9]

He looks like Mel Gibson

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks!

[@419outdoors9]

You're welcome. Been making a bee vacuum based off your concept. Starting my first hive with a log clean up. Great video!

[@RidgeLife]

@@419outdoors9 thanks! A smaller valve hole and some foam inside for bees to land on when sucked in are some recent modifications. Good luck!

[@419outdoors9]

@@RidgeLife I made a 22 rack horizontal hive, divided it into 2 11 rack chambers. The one chamber has racks in it and the other chamber I am building the vacuum chamber in it. I am going to vacuum the hive, transfer brood comb and reserve comb then run a pipe from the vac chamber to the rack box

[@Tarbuckle1970]

Looks like a great design. Have you had any issues with bees being sucked up against the vacuum tube in side the box?

[@RidgeLife]

Nope! Just had to make the valve smaller though to get better suction. I would I put some foam against back wall too JIC but I haven’t had any issues. Thx!

[@1AAudits]

@@RidgeLife maybe line the “walls” with an old towel or baby blanket folded over once for cushion.

[@leanneneilsen1893]

hi just wondering as i think i must have missed a part of the video but when you remove the bee collection hose what are you using to cover it so that they don't just come out again.

[@RidgeLife]

I just had duct tape to cover the hole. Thanks!

[@honeybeehelper-1]

What is the purpose of the long pipe inside the container? Did I miss something?

[@RidgeLife]

It is the vacuum suction line. It is long with lots of holes to create a more even area of suction so the bees don't stick to it and die.

[@thhomasmarks]

duuu.. beeeeez

[@RidgeLife]

Fun!!!

[@1AAudits]

Could we maybe get a parts/shopping list with the actual names of the parts instead of “this here fitting thingy”, lol.

[@RidgeLife]

Ha! Sorry. I just went to Lowe’s and put parts together until it worked. I thought I was pretty specific and showed the parts though. I would add a foam backer inside so bees have a soft landing and smaller valve for better suction.

[@1AAudits]

@@RidgeLife oh you were pretty thorough, just not very specific naming each of the parts is all. I enjoyed the video. Still hoping for a parts/shopping list tho. 🙏

[@georgealmeida7382]

ive made a few diferent ones over the years...any good vacume will collapse tbe plastic tupperware style ..5 gal water bottles work well though

[@RidgeLife]

Nice! This one worked great for me. Hair has to do a better valve for more suction. Very few dead bees.

[@beefriendlychannel7965]

There's "line loss", too. If you have a longer hose from the box to the vacuum, you lose suction. The hose from the box to the colony should be as short as humanly possible. The rubberized ones are more expensive, but at the business end of it, you have better dexterity and the bees aren't slamming around in the tube on the corregated ridges. Remember to spray water occasionally on the bees directly. Just a mister bottle. They get thirsty after all that turbulence.

[@owelaine]

How do you close up the vacuum hole after you've sucked up all the bees and disconnected the hose?

[@RidgeLife]

I use duct tape.

[@garyRt23Bees]

Hot glue would hold screen better than screws

[@RidgeLife]

Nice! Thx

[@garyRt23Bees]

@@RidgeLife Seals really well on a clean bucket in just seconds

[@RidgeLife]

Nice!

[@graycleary]

I’d like to know what those unions are that you screwed to the tote are called so I can buy some.

[@hlyautey]

I would use threaded adaptors.

[@RidgeLife]

I just went through the piping area of lows and picked out pieces that would work. Sorry. I don't recall the specific names.

[@beefriendlychannel7965]

@@RidgeLife those are flanges. Inch and a half?? Some come threaded and have rubber seals for shower drains. The important part is that the hose from the suction end goes INSIDE the box. If it goes on the outside, bees will get caught on the edge on the way in.

[@RidgeLife]

Sorry. I just went to Lowe’s and grabbed parts until I made up what I needed. I wish I would have kept a parts list.

[@grumpygrandpapatriotshow8118]

👍👍👍

[@RidgeLife]

Thanks!

[@alroywestcott9452]

Hi can you use any vacume or not

[@RidgeLife]

Yes! Just adjust your flow to the power of the vac with the damper valve you install. Good Luck!

[@kiddfamilyfarmllc9962]

You might be onto something there. Bee puree, just saying. Gonna safe this this video, thank you.

[@RidgeLife]

I appreciate that!

[@loveofchrist5808]

I’m sorry to say it’s a great concept but it needs a lot of improvement because the bees can actually get stuck in the tube that is being sucked you need to come up with a way that they will not be stuck to the pipe suck in the air you will kill a lot of bees it doesn’t take much of suction to kill them, need to go back to the drawing board but just needs a little bit of tuneup I think I know what will help you a screen to divide the collection area from the vacuum area so don’t take it the wrong way it’s just an improvement you can make a great concept thank you and God bless you sir.✝️✝️✝️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@RidgeLife]

I used this design a couple times and no bees got stuck! Yay!!! I need to improve the valve though and maybe a foam piece on inside for landing. Thx

[@stevenhunt7113]

Problem is a lot of the time you are in a spot where you don't have power

[@RidgeLife]

Very true. Bring a Portable Battery Bank Inverter like Bluetti.

[@McGieHomesteadAdventures]

Talk about sucking up to some bees !!!!!🐝

[@RidgeLife]

Ha! Live action later this week!

[@markjones2349]

I'm amazed that this didn't end up being a tutorial on how to cut your fingers or hand off. Can't even describe how dumb that was to be cutting on that vise and have it nearly tip over. You could have cut your fingers off, chip off a carbide tip into your side, splinter that pipe and take your eye out with no safety glasses, then at the end you place your off hand below the level of the saw. Can't believe you survived this. Please please be more careful. It only takes one mistake and you made a dozen.

[@RidgeLife]

Haha! Good points!

[@rachaelbrown9837]

The video and dialogue does not match....very confusing instructions because your video doesn't match what your talking about as you are making it.

[@RidgeLife]

I watched it again and the audio matches perfectly to what I am saying and doing.

[@rachaelbrown9837]

There must’ve been a glitch and it didn’t load or play right because when I watched the whole thing only the first few seconds matched, for instance when the audio was you using the skill saw you were connecting the hose pieces in the box. Plus the words you were speaking didn’t match how your mouth was moving.

[@lazypondfarm]

What would I do with a vacuum small enough a bee could use it? 😒 Not gonna waste my time watching this video... good try Tim

[@RidgeLife]

I don’t think your man card is active anyway so you aren’t licensed to use it! Ha!

[@HomesteadingNorthernMichigan]

Hahahahahaha

[@lazypondfarm]

Pshhhhh Man Card? Wait till Pryor buddy... Ill show you my man card 😉

[@maryranch5329]

@@lazypondfarm 😊🤣👍

[@maryranch5329]

@@RidgeLife You guys are way too funny🤣

[@WillPOnya]

4 minutes in you lost me. Nice try but you're dangerous....and you're teaching....do better.

[@RidgeLife]

Haha! You crack me up.