Smoker...should it be used at entrance before inspections?

[redpig]

No, entire colony not like this,,, they are truly the exception. I have been asked to collect some and send to one of our leading universities and intent to do so once warmed up and able to collect from what I believe to be the original swarm. (Wild colony I have left alone - truly mental) 2 x Dogs taken out 3 years.. Common belief here is they have adapted to living in our mountains and fending for themselves, I choose to believe this one.. Baboons here have become an issue and have taken an interest in Honey, I'm told one our local farmers here had fitted steel bars and chains around hive boxes until eventually giving up..
Another pic shows some of the colour variants here... We have a Biogas digester on one of our farming units that process a lot of sugar/chocolate by products... Syrup, caster sugar, chocolate, caramel etc etc etc... Lots and lots of bees... Summer time, we quit working this waste by 10h30 in the morning and let the bees carry on.
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Hello Michael,
I like the look of the bee with the two stripes, are you sure they are not solitary or a different variety such as burrowing or leafcutter types?

 

[pargyle]

I use very little smoke, In my opinion gouts of smoke pumped into the hive whether at the entrance, under the crownboard, or over anywhere else in most cases just winds the bees up rather than calms them.
This 'Forest fire' theory of them filling their bellies in evacuation mode and this making them calmer is another story which should be catalogued under 'beekeeping myths and magic'

I agree ...myths and legends perpetuated by those who follow the books - bees have a very sensitive sense of smell and I think they just move away from the source of the smoke. I think a water mist is a kinder and gentler way to move them down - with a little syrup added they will soon clear it up. Most of the time I don't use smoke .. and if I do it's a gentle waft inches away from where the bees are ... not as I've seen demonstrated great gouts and clouds of smoke poured into the hive. Idiocy.

 

[enrico]

Whilst we are on the subject. I will have loads of lavender this year. Is it the flowers, stems, or leaves that get dried and used in smokers? Thanks

 

[user 819]

I prune my Lavender Eric and use all the thinner wispy parts inc stems, once dried I break it up or use secateurs to cut up in to smaller burnable bits as well as the Rosemary.

 

[Swarm]

Well, before new beekeepers get the idea that they should not be using smoke, I would add that using the smoker sensibly will help with inspections.
I've plenty of colonies that don't 'need' smoking but even these will sometimes get a little if it shifts the bees out of the way. High Summer and loads of bees, when wiggling your fingers doesn't move enough, it's far easier and quicker and helps keep the Hoffman's clear to avoid killing bees.
When time is no issue I regularly go through them without, talking away to them. I'll never tire of that.

 

[Michael ECB's]

Back on topic... Smoking bees...
Was seriously contemplating adding some of this "herb" into my smoker for certain inspections.....
Please note, On a serious note; This was only grown in the efforts to win a competition between neighbours on who can grow the biggest and tallest plant - Also now legal here in SA..... In no way were any plants smoked, baked or grilled in this process...
Cant help but wonder how this would effect behaviour though...

 

[Swarm]

They would be buried in cells eating honey .....

 

[Swn58]

I constantly talk to my bees! As for this smoke business....I do puff a bit in the entrance, but mainly have always regarded it as a warning to them that more is coming in from the top! I then try to leave them for 10-20 minutes. Usually they are fine after that.

 

[Swn58]

Back on topic... Smoking bees...
Was seriously contemplating adding some of this "herb" into my smoker for certain inspections.....
Please note, On a serious note; This was only grown in the efforts to win a competition between neighbours on who can grow the biggest and tallest plant - Also now legal here in SA..... In no way were any plants smoked, baked or grilled in this process...
Cant help but wonder how this would effect behaviour though...
View attachment 21647

I'll have some of the stuff the bloke on the left is having...........

 

[Curly green finger's]

I'll have some of the stuff the bloke on the left is having...........

I think the person taking the photo must of had blurry red eyes .
Or the camera was having a moment.
Sativa strains grow like triffids.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Whilst we are on the subject. I will have loads of lavender this year. Is it the flowers, stems, or leaves that get dried and used in smokers? Thanks

All of it
Prunings chopped up
I add dried orange peel

 

[Michael ECB's]

I think the person taking the photo must of had blurry red eyes .
Or the camera was having a moment.
Sativa strains grow like triffids.

Wish I could remember.... Just appeared on my phone?
That was the only one kind of clear... rest were just a blur....
Hate it when you invite people over and they play with your phone... Pfffft.

 

[Michael ECB's]

I think the person taking the photo must of had blurry red eyes .
Or the camera was having a moment.
Sativa strains grow like triffids.

Oh I see Mr "Green Fingers" knows the strains very well.......
Sativa,,,, I cheated in the compo,,, had seeds mailed to me whilst neighbour was trying to grow local "bush" weed.....

 

[Curly green finger's]

All of it
Prunings chopped up
I add dried orange peel

I use all of the prunings. I've found that the cartridges I make up for my smoker don't last long 45mins if your lucky.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Oh I see Mr "Green Fingers" knows the strains very well.......
Sativa,,,, I cheated in the compo,,, had seeds mailed to me whilst neighbour was trying to grow local "bush" weed.....

I love to grow most things medicinal..
Or otherwise.
That's why I'm c.g.f

 

[ericbeaumont]

When I used a smoker for the first time last week, the behaviour of the bees seemed no different, leaving me to wonder whether it was necessary to use one in future. Maybe I have docile bees

Best to have it lit, Bevy, even though you may not use it. Although your bees may be calm this week or next, there will come a time when a puff here or there will be needed to keep you in control: perhaps you must check when it's windy, or there is no nectar flow, or the colony is unexpectedly queenless; in those conditions bees' temper may change quickly and you must be ready to change tack to manage them.

 

[redpig]

I agree.
Things have a way of going **** up extremely rapidly and it does pay to always have a plan no matter how simple. We all learn from our mistakes, some quicker than others and I fall in with the others.

 

[Murox]

I agree ...myths and legends perpetuated by those who follow the books - bees have a very sensitive sense of smell and I think they just move away from the source of the smoke. I think a water mist is a kinder and gentler way to move them down - with a little syrup added they will soon clear it up. Most of the time I don't use smoke .. and if I do it's a gentle waft inches away from where the bees are ... not as I've seen demonstrated great gouts and clouds of smoke poured into the hive. Idiocy.

its how you use it that matters.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I use all of the prunings. I've found that the cartridges I make up for my smoker don't last long 45mins if your lucky.

I pack the smoker with dry rotten wood and just use other stuff for a top up. I dint suppose bees care and I don’t really use it much but it smells nice.

 

[1amanda1]

Do people use plain water in the spray - just a normal plant spray bottle?