To effectively clear bees from honey supers, beekeepers rely on three primary tools: escape boards, fume boards, and manual brushes. These methods range from passive devices that allow bees to exit on their own to manual tools designed to gently sweep stragglers off specific frames without causing harm.
Successful honey harvesting requires removing bees from the supers without agitation. The most effective strategy often involves using a bulk clearing method like an escape board or fume board first, followed by a brush for precision cleanup.
The Passive Method: Escape Boards
How They Work
An escape board acts as a one-way valve for the colony. It is a physical barrier placed directly between the honey supers (the top boxes) and the brood chamber (the bottom boxes).
The Mechanism
The design allows bees to exit the honey super and move down into the brood chamber, but prevents them from figuring out how to return. Over time, the supers naturally empty of bees as they move downward to join the cluster.
The Active Method: Fume Boards
Utilizing Scent
A fume board is a cover placed on top of the supers that utilizes a chemical repellent. Instead of waiting for bees to leave naturally, this method actively forces them out.
Driving Bees Downward
The absorbent pad on the fume board holds a repellent scent that bees dislike. As the vapors descend through the frames, they drive the bees downward out of the honey supers and into the safety of the brood chamber below.
The Manual Method: Brushes and Feathers
Handling Individual Frames
For inspecting specific frames or clearing remaining bees after using other methods, a bee brush or a goose feather is the standard tool. This is a hands-on approach used frame-by-frame.
The Technique
The goal is to be gentle to avoid angering the colony. Beekeepers use a large brush to roll or sweep the bees off the honeycomb, knocking them back into the open hive before the frame is removed for processing.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Efficiency vs. Labor
Bee brushes are precise but labor-intensive. Brushing an entire super frame-by-frame is time-consuming and can agitate the bees if the motion is too rough or rapid.
Speed vs. Simplicity
Fume boards are generally faster than escape boards but require the handling of repellent scents. Escape boards require no chemicals but typically necessitate two trips to the hive: one to install the board, and a second to remove the supers after the bees have cleared.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Selecting the right tool depends on how many hives you are managing and your tolerance for handling repellents.
- If your primary focus is gentle, chemical-free removal: Use an escape board to let bees vacate the supers naturally over time.
- If your primary focus is speed and efficiency: Utilize a fume board to quickly drive bees down into the brood chamber.
- If your primary focus is handling stragglers: Keep a bee brush or goose feather on hand to gently sweep away the few bees that remain after bulk clearing.
The best harvest is one where the honey is secured while the colony remains calm and intact.
Summary Table:
| Method | Primary Tool | Type | Key Advantage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passive | Escape Board | One-way valve | Stress-free & chemical-free | Small-scale / Gentle removal |
| Active | Fume Board | Repellent cover | Fast & highly efficient | Commercial speed / Bulk clearing |
| Manual | Bee Brush / Feather | Hand tool | High precision | Individual frames / Stragglers |
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