the bee vac i have been using is a 16 gallon shop vac but i modify it a little, here is what I do.
I get 2 peg board hooks (that you would hand tools on) and put the between the top where the motor is (between the latches) and the tank to keep alittle space open, I stuff a big sponge in the exaust of the vac, wrap a hand towel around the cage (where the float ball is inside) and tie it with tie straps ( you know the electrical sinch straps). and when I'm through vac-ing bee's, I take the sponge out of the exaust and take the hose loose and put the sponge in the hole where the hose was. and
it doesn't kill the bees or injure them but this settup does reduced the suction were the vac hose has to about touch the bee's to suck them up. I have used it on 5 removals. the last 2 removals had about 5-6 gallons of bee's ( all healthy) just thought I would share my little not homemade trick. i'm going to try to see if I can get a smooth hose ( ON THE INSIDE ) fit up to it , I seen they have some clear hose about 1 1/2" I.D. Lowes and home depot FOR A SMOOTHER RIDE DOWN THE HOSE.
heres the shop vac im useing
heres how I strap the towel around the suction float ball cage with electrical sinch straps
the peg board hook
I put the hook in between the latches ( between the lid and tank) see how it raises the lid to create some space.
heres the sponge I use
put the sponge in the exaust of the vac
and when im finished vacing bees, I pull the hose out and put the sponge
in the hole so the bees want crawl out the hose, and with the towel on the inside they cant come out of the exaust
my little quick way of making a bee vac without building any thing and you can put it together fast to for quick use, if your vac might be stronger or weaker, you will need to check it by useing with a few bee's and then seeing if they made the trip into the tank, if there ok , you got it right , if thier not you will need to adjust for less suction by creating more open space , like useing another peg board hook on the other side of the vac. and if there in a tree, use a vac hose for a swimming pool. since i took these pic's, I went to lowe's and bought a 15 foot piece of there clear smooth ruber tubing, 1 1/2" inch diameter, adapted it to the hose fitting that goes into the vac tank and it works just fine.