Beekeeping is an interesting, profitable, but very labor-intensive activity. Most beekeepers make their own hives and frames; cleaning hives and disinfecting them also require effort and special tools. Maintenance of bee colonies is impossible without the beekeeper's equipment. It is worth talking in detail about the quality of the necessary tools and their purpose; the information will be useful for those who want to set up an apiary.
Smoker
Used to fumigate insects. This is the basic equipment for beekeeping.It is used when you need to clean the hive or move the bees to new houses, or empty the bee’s home for disinfection.
At first, torches were used to fumigate insects, then a design with 2 holes was invented, inside which pieces of bark or wood were placed. The smoke scares the insects; they begin to stuff their crops with honey, becoming slow and clumsy.
A modern smoker is a metal structure with a spout and a lid. The device consists of:
- from a two-layer body;
- glasses with many holes in the bottom (perforation);
- air injection systems.
It can be copper (the most expensive models), made of stainless or ordinary steel, galvanized. The smoker has 3 varieties: manual, mechanical, electric.
In manual mode, air is pumped using bellows. The tool is lightweight, cheap, and you can make it yourself. The electric version is equipped with a fan. The smoker is powered by mains or battery, and you can adjust the intensity of the smoke supply. It is much more expensive; repairs require the help of specialists.
Mechanical - in it air is pumped by blades, which are activated by a winding key.
The smoke supply is also adjustable, the design is collapsible, it is convenient to clean and lubricate. It has a reasonable price. Sometimes the blades break.
To produce smoke, use paper, pine needles, pieces of bark, manure or wood. It is convenient to use oak bark and rotten remains of trees. This smoke is harmless to insects.
Apiary chisel
A simple and indispensable tool for the apiary.It is a strip of metal with expanding trapezoidal ends, one of which is bent at a right angle. The length of the chisel is about 20 centimeters, the ends are well sharpened. A handle is fixed in the middle of the metal sheet.
Can be supplemented with various tools (for example, a hammer and a nail puller). You can make the tool yourself or purchase it from beekeeping stores. The chisel must be sharp.
Scraper
The tool is used to clean the bottom and walls of hives, remove dead debris and small debris. This is a rectangular metal plate, 10 centimeters wide. The right side of the shoulder blade and the upper edge are bent at a right angle and form a low side. The bottom and left side are left flat and sharpened. A handle made of wood or plastic is attached to the spatula to make the tool comfortable to hold while working.
Long brush with soft bristles
Used to sweep bees from the frames and walls of the hive. A brush with long natural bristles and a comfortable handle allows you to work quickly without injuring insects.
Important: it is better to buy a brush with light bristles; dark bristles irritate insects. Typically, a single-row or double-row option made from natural horsehair is chosen.
Frame grip
This tool is used to carefully remove full and empty frames from the hive. It allows you not to touch the frames with your hands and disturb insects less. Made from stainless steel or galvanized steel. Consists of gripping elements, springs and comfortable handles. Pressing the handles adjusts the grip strength.
Carrying box
This box is made of plywood and wooden slats. It should be light, roomy and durable, equipped with a carrying strap. You can purchase it in specialized stores or make it yourself. Consists of a plywood box and a flat lid. A tap hole must be installed in the lower part of the box, and several small holes are drilled in the lid for ventilation.
The lid is made flat because the boxes are often used as chairs. It is mounted on hinges and closes tightly. Usually ramonos are made for 4-6 frames. For convenience, you can make a small pocket on the side for storing tools.
These are not all the tools a beekeeper uses in his work, but such a set will allow you to easily maintain a small bee farm.
