The bee vacuum portion is made from a 5-gallon bucket with a large sieve on top to diffuse the actual vacuum suction.

Inside the bucket a chute is used to keep from crushing the bees as they enter.

5 Gallon Food Grade Bucket

The 5 gallon bucket is the heart of the this bee vaccum.

I purchased this one from Lowes here:

5 Gallon Food Grade Bucket

5 Gallon Bucket Sieve

This sifting pan is used to defuse the suction from the vacuum. This sifting pan fits into the top of the bucket.

Can be purchased here:

5 Gallon 1/12 Mesh sifting Pan

Simple 5 Gallon Bucket Lid

This lid fits into the top of the sifting pan.

I purchased this one from Lowes here:

5 Gallon Bucket Lid

1-1/2 x 1-1/4 Slip Joint Adapter.

You can get one here:

PVC 1-1/2” x 1-1/4” Trap Adapter

If you have a Home Depot near you, you can purchase it a little cheaper here:

1-1/2” x 1-1/4” PVC Slip-Joint Trap Adapter

2-1-1/2” Union Fitting

You can purchase one here:

2-1/2” Hose Splice Fitting

Intake Hose

You will need a hose to act as your intake. The union that I use will accommodate the large end of this hose. Its meant for a 2-1/4” ID Union.

I got mine here:

Car Cleaning kit

The nice thing about this kit is that it comes with a couple ends that I have found useful for collecting bees.

You are free to use any hose you like, but may have to make an adapter to attach to the bucket intake.

HVAC Aluminum Tape

You can purchase it here:

2” HVAC Aluminum Tape

Originally, I used this plastic roof flashing to create my chute and intake funnel, While I only paid $10 or so for this roll, the price has gone up too much to recommend this flashing. If you already have some then it will work just fine.

Its 1/64” thickness makes it perfect for both the chute and intake funnel.

Flexible Chopping Mats

These mats are 12” x 15” and are 1/64” thick. They work perfectly.

You can purchase them here:

Flexible Chopping Mats

Point the point of the handle down.

You will then be able to pop the handle out of the hole.

Use a 1-5/8” Forstner bit to drill a hole in the bucket.

The center of the hole is 2-1/2” from the bottom.

Place enough electricians tape around the wide end of the adapter. You want the union fitting to slip snugly over the adapter.

Remove the threaded ring and screw the adapter into the hole of the bucket. Screw it in until it starts to slip.

Mark a line 3-3/4” from the edge.

Use some scissors to cut the marked piece off.

Mark a point 1-1/4” from the bottom and 1-5/8 from the edge.

Mark a bend line 3-1/4” from the edge.

Use some painters tape to tape the chute to a piece of scrap wood.

Use the 1-5/8” Forstner bit to cut the hole. Go slow and rock the bit so that it scores the outside of the hole.

Eventually the bit will cut through the chute.

Bend the chute with your hand at the 3-1/4” mark. Bend the chute so that the line is on the inside of the bend.

Bend it as much as you can. You can use a piece of scrap wood to help make the bend sharper.

Inside of the bend.

Slip the chute over adapter. It may help if you twist the adapter to thread it through the hole.

Add the treaded ring. Tighten as much as you can by hand only.

Use some metal HVAC tape to secure the loose end of the chute.

You want to anchor it in such a way that the bees will hit the flat part of the chute about halfway. Use more tape to flatten the turn as much as needed.

I cut a piece about 6” x 6” of the mat. I then shape it so that I can trim the ends with scissors.

When trimmed you want a 1” hole on one end and a 2-1/4" on the other end. The overall length when trimmed should be just under 4”.

The finished funnel.

The funnel is used to keep the bees from banging against the inside of the adapter.

Insert the funnel into the union.

Install the union over the adapter with the small end of the funnel pointing to toward the inside of the bucket.

You want the small end of the funnel to be sticking through the threaded ring on the inside of the bucket.

Once positioned correctly secure with HVAC tape. Use small pieces and work your way around the inside. Its best to have the tape overhang the outside edge of the union.

This is a vacuum hose with a 2-1/4” end. If fits snuggly into the union. If its loose, add more tape.

I like my Sieve to fit snuggly into the bucket, so it is less likely to popoff when carrying outside with the bucket full of bees.

I use some foam weather stripping for this.

The sieve is inserted into the top of the bucket.

I drill a hole in the lid that will allow me to fit the hose that goes to the vacuum. This hose will vary depending on the vacuum you use.

The lid fits into the top of the sieve.

The hose going to the vacuum is inserted into the lid.

If your vacuum does not have a speed control, you will need to install a vent hole.

This is to keep the vaccume pressure from killing the bees.

Start with a 1-5/8” hole using a Forstner bit.

To test the suction I, cut some small pieces of tissue paper about 1/2” square. You want the intake to pull the tissue paper when you are about 1/2” away.

Lessen the suction by cutting another hole. To increase the suction, add some HVAC tape to cover part of the hole.

Thats pretty much it. Here is my setup in my beehouse.

I have mine adjusted so the intake has to be really close to the bees.

Here are some bees I dumped after inspecting a three-tier hive in the beehouse.

Here is the platform about two hours later.