JP,
I realize I dont need one but I would like to build one and I thought it could come in handy here. Perhaps there is a better way to remove this? How would you do it?
Looks like a good bit of bees in the pictures but those numbers will likely reduce significantly come spring time. Transfer comb sections thus securing them in your frames, if a mess of bees are in your way, and they are gentle you could move them by hand or transfer via a dust pan while you are securing comb sections.
Of course all the while you are on the look out for the queen, have a hair clip queen catcher handy if/when you see her, place her on/in the new set up.
If your timing is a little off you could wind up with multiple queens. Be sure to bring several queen catchers/cages with you.
Work from the outside in leaving a few comb sections in the center, so you up your chances of her gravitating to the center.
After all comb is removed and transferred leave the new set up until dark for them to orient to.
Most all bees should be in the new set up come dark, close up the hive and transfer.
Of course this would be the ideal situation but with patience you'll get the job done, even without a bee vac.
If in the end they are clustered in a big ball at the old location (because you didn't get the queen) you could spray them with water and then transfer them with a dust pan.
...JP
