Description
*This Item is Made to Order – Delivery expect before May 2024 on first order, first ship basis*
The Swarm Saver** is an insect vacuum attachment system designed to collect difficult swarms, (catch what you can in the Bee Chamber, vacuum the stragglers) or be used directly as an insect collection vacuum (ie a Bee Vacuum).
The system comprises of 2 transparent and easy to sterilize buckets with custom components designed for the collection of Honeybees, but has also been used successfully on Wasps and Bumblebees.
The outer bucket contains all the vacuum related components and connects to a standard hosed domestic vacuum cleaner.
The vacuum related components have hose grips to hold the hose when not in use.
The Vacuum bucket has a 3 metre long transparent, braided, foodgrade PVC smooth bore hose for the insect collection.
The hose is easy to clean (you can see the dirt) and avoids bees “bumping” off typical ridged hoses.
Being transparent, you can clearly see any blockages. Blockages can mostly be solved by a big blow in the hose with the vacuum on.
Try to avoid vacuuming up non bees, bits of plaster or debris can get stuck.
The hose connects with a swivel attachment that rotates 360 degrees without harming the bees passage.
The Vacuum Chamber has a vacuum connector, which connects to a standard hosed domestic vacuum.
The Vacuum Chamber is not intended for holding insects.
Insects are safely contained within the 30 litre Bee Chamber which sits within the Vacuum Chamber.
The system comes with one Bee Chamber with an integrated Vacuum Stepper* that passively reduces the velocity of the insects travelling through the hose just before they enter the Bee Chamber, but does not sacrifice vacuum pressure.
In addition to this, the Vacuum Stepper* has a “Bee Catcher” made from a soft flexible, cleanable plastic which the bees harmlessly “bump” off, effectively reducing their velocity further before landing safely in the Bee Chamber.
No more bees going splat due to high pressure!
The Bee Chamber is top and bottom vented using a 15cm diameter circular piece of durable hive metal mesh.
Should you accidentally vacuum up small pieces of dirt, they will mostly transit the Bee Chamber and into the Vacuum Chamber, then into the actual vacuum.
This will reduce the amount of dirt you end up tipping into the hive later on if you use a tipping method.
Debris must be smaller than the mesh to effectively pass through.
While the vacuum source is active, the bees will be sufficiently ventilated when inside the system on hot days.
It is not recommended to use the system in cold winter weather, as the vacuum will increase the amount of cold air passing over the bees and be detrimental to them.
Extractions should occur in good, appropriate weather for this reason.
It is not recommended to have bees in the Bee Chamber whilst inside the Vacuum chamber and the vacuum source is off.
It is especially not recommended to do this in full sun. Cover with umbrella if possible.
The Bee Chamber will hold up to 30k honeybees when used under vacuum. This will cover the majority of colonies.
It can hold more in terms of a swarm, but the vacuum pressure will deteriorate and become sluggish.
The Bee Chamber has an additional ventilated “door plug” for when travelling the bees by road to keep them securely inside and to close them up.
Over filling the Bee Chamber will eventually lead to suction performance lose.
It is possible in a quick motion, to spray the already vacuumed bees with a water mister while the lid is still on, then quickly empty the bees into an awaiting hive with frames.
This needs two people, one for the hive to put the lid on quickly, one for the bees.
The Bee Chamber weighs approximately 1400 grams empty.
When the Bee Chamber is in use as a Swarm Collector, it can happily “sit” on a hedge due to its very low weight.
Knowing the weight of the empty Bee Chamber, you can work out the approx population of the colony by weighing it and subtracting 1400 grams then dividing by 0.11 (bee weight) for a relatively approximate population count.
The combined weight of the unit is just under 4000 grams.
It is easy to get up and down a ladder; can be hoisted easily, can be tied to a chimney if you are mental enough, or a cherry lift railing for awkward removals or when working space is at a premium.
The Swarm Saver has been road tested dozens of times using a 1500 watt shop vac on full power. (not included)
Ideal Vac wattage is 1500w, not recommended to use below 1300w, and not recommended to use above 1800w unless you have a power control on the vacuum itself.
The materials used are scientifically proven*** to be serializable using ordinary methods.
Because the system is so easy to sterilize, you wont risk making the system itself a disease vector for future removals and swarms.
The bees can be top fed their own honeycomb when the Bee Chamber has been removed from the Vacuum Chamber.
Bees are best re-homed within 12 hours of collection (overnight).
It is recommended to hive them asap after collection.
Because the materials are mostly transparent, you will have an opportunity to display the contents to the homeowner as proof of your work.
Nearly everyone takes a photo of this! 🙂
The Swarm Saver comes with a “Broom Attachment”, that you can duct tape a broom handle to for bees that are out of your reach.
This can be very useful when dealing with colonies above your head as in ceiling removals (to give your shoulders a break).
Price includes delivery in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
For delivery costs outside of the island of Ireland, please email Steve @ Swarms.ie
Each Swarm Saver is made to order, lead time is approx 4-6 weeks.
Designed and Manufactured in the Republic of Ireland.
*patent pending.
** “Swarm Saver” is a registered Trademark of Swarms.ie
*** PETG and TPU are the main component materials. Both of which were used at the beginning of the pandemic for emergency face shields.
The materials were tested at the time for ability to sterilize against COVID19 and still be functional.
The buckets (Polypropylene) and hose (PVC) used are food grade plastics intended for food industry usage.
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