How to Make a Honey Bee Vacuum

Cut the boards for the outer box frame. You will need two measuring 15 1/2 inches long, and another two measuring 20 inches long. Screw these together with the galvanized screws. Cut a piece of the panel board or plywood measuring 15 1/2 by 20 inches and screw it to the bottom.

Cut a top piece measuring the same as the bottom. Set the vacuum motor assembly in the center of this piece and trace around the bottom, making a template for your hole. Cut the hole and check it to see if it fits. You want a snug fit so the motor doesn't bounce around or fall out during handling. Off to the side of the vacuum motor hole, cut another hole that measures 2 1/2 inches. It can be round or square. Staple a piece of fiberglass screen to the inside of the hole. On the outside, cut a piece of the panel board or plywood to fit as a cover for the hole. Screw this in one corner of the cover to the top of the lid, leaving enough play in the screw so that you can slide this cover open or shut, but so that it does not swing freely. This is the air regulator hole to adjust the pressure from the vacuum on the box.

Place the vacuum hose on the left side of the box frame and draw around its attaching end and make a template just as you did on the top of the box. Cut this out, and check to make sure it fits. Set the vacuum and hose aside until later assembly.

Attach the lid to the box with the hinges. Set the latch in place now and make sure the lid and latch are working and move freely. The latch can be as simple as a hook and eye set, or a hasp closure. The key is to be sure the latch stays closed until you open it to release the bees.

Cut the boards for the inner box frame. You will need to reduce the 8-inch board by 3/4 of an inch with your saw, so that you have a measurement of 7 1/4 inches. Cut two pieces of the reduced board to a 12 1/2-inch length, and two more at an 18 3/8-inch length. Screw this frame together with the galvanized screws.

Remove a section on each side of your inner box frame that measures 5 inches by 12 inches. Leave the end boards solid for now. Staple thick fiberglass screen to the inside of the frame over these holes, making sure there are no gaps on the edges. Trim any excess screen so it is smooth and neat.

Cut the plywood top and bottom pieces of the inner box that measure 18 3/8 by 13 1/2. Screw the bottom to the frame.

Set the inner box inside the outer box, and on the end where the vacuum hose hole is cut in the outer box, trace this circle on the inside box with a pencil. Cut this hole out.

Remove the inner box from the outer box, and attach the inner box lid piece with the hinges. Add the latch to this box. You can fashion a handle of some kind if you choose for this inner box to make it easier to pull in and out of the outer box. Screw the small piece of plastic or panel in the same way you made the cover for the regulator hole. Add a screw to one corner of the cover so that it pivots, opening or closing the hole. This is to close the entrance once bees are collected so they don't escape during transport.

Set the inner box inside the outer box again, and check to make sure it fits. If it is loose and slides, add a piece of wood at the back -- opposite side as the vacuum holes -- of the inner box bottom for a spacer to hold the inner box from sliding. Screw a strip of wood that creates a snug fit in place. You want a tight seal on the vacuum hose hole when the boxes are in place so the bees are collected in the inner box. This box is then removed when the job is complete to transport the bees to their new location.

Mount the vacuum motor assembly and hose to the outer box using silicone adhesive, and let it dry.