Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: DMLinton on December 25, 2013, 01:46:44 pm

Title: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: DMLinton on December 25, 2013, 01:46:44 pm
Does anyone use, or have knowledge, of powered bee brushes?  I stumbled across a video a few months ago wherein a beekeeper with a beehouse arrangment used one to clear bees from honey frames as he pulled them.  From what I could see, the system utilized two cylindrical brushes that counter rotated.  The honey frame was passed between the rotating brushes and was very quickly cleared of bees.  Not sure whether the bees went into a container or a duct to the outdoors.

I have search about bee supply houses but cannot find anything of the sort.  The management strategy that I am leaning toward requires pulling individual frames of honey rather than supers so such a machine might be very useful.

I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone that has used one as I am curious as to how well the bees cope with such a machine.
Title: Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: apisbees on December 25, 2013, 02:31:32 pm
I have seen that video. It was in Europe and the hives were in a bee trailer or truck and the extracted in the truck. the bees went back out side so they could fly back to there hive entrance. there would be some drifting as any bees that were swept that hadn't taken orientation flights might not make it back to the proper hive
Title: Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: G3farms on December 25, 2013, 02:50:01 pm
You are right apis, I saw that one too. Looked like it was a little hard on the bees to me.
Title: Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: apisbees on December 26, 2013, 04:48:40 am
here is the one you are thinking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XPEpdyR_PQ
Title: Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: Moots on December 26, 2013, 05:25:56 pm
here is the one you are thinking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XPEpdyR_PQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XPEpdyR_PQ)

WOW!  That thing looks brutal!
Title: Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: Perry on December 26, 2013, 06:44:33 pm
Sounds pretty bad don't it? I am sure that it's not outright killing the bees, but I bet is sure ticks them off. I'd want to be inside! LOL
Title: Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: LazyBkpr on December 26, 2013, 08:35:37 pm
The brushes dump the bees into the container under it.. He carries them over and dumps them back into the hive and doesnt SEEM to be getting stung.. I would think those bees were really peeved by then...   Brushes must be really soft..
   I like the bee houses a lot...    Also noticed something white under his inner covers.. insulation? Candy Board?
Title: Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: apisbees on December 27, 2013, 04:39:06 am
It looks to me that the inner cover board is painted cause you can see were the bees have built wax. The inside of his supers are also painted white.
Title: Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: Bakersdozen on December 27, 2013, 10:19:34 am
Even though he has painted the inside of the lid and inside walls of the supers the trade off must be that he only has to paint the fronts of the supers.  Those bristles must be extremely soft or else it would tear up the cappings and comb.
Title: Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
Post by: Zookeep on December 27, 2013, 08:54:44 pm
I noticed that there are 11 frames per box, the honey color I didnt care for much it looked like a milky white, but the brushes didnt seem to kill any bees