Pete previously posted:  They can be killed very quickly using ether based starter fluid, acetone, pure alcohol, or acetic acid. None of these will leave significant residues, they evaporate quickly.

If the goal is to avoid damaging the equipment, I would probably go with soapy water. You need a large enough container to hold enough water and all the bees. This may involve a trash can. I would wait until late in the day and shake the bees quickly into the water. Any frames with brood could be frozen to stop the emergence of any more bees. If you give the brood to other colonies, they are liable to raise queens from it.

PLB

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