To safely work with bees, beekeepers have various devices. Let's consider the purpose and principle of operation of a smoker for bees, why it is needed, and what types of devices there are. What and how can you fill a smoker, how to light it, and how to use it correctly in your home apiary to fumigate bees, so as not to harm yourself and the insects.
What is a smoker for bees and why do you need it?
Using a smoker, bees are fumigated with smoke. The insects become calm and do not show aggression.This makes it possible to safely and effectively carry out the necessary work in the hive and not be afraid of being attacked by bees.
The principle of operation of the smoker is a certain behavior of insects. When entering the hive, they intend to sting the stranger in order to prevent the destruction of the home. Smoke neutralizes substances released by bees when there is danger, which are needed to notify their relatives about it. They perceive smoke as a signal of fire and therefore begin to look for a place for a new home. To do this, they collect honey in their crops and in this position cannot bend their body to sting.
In addition, not all bee breeds are calm by nature; some cannot be worked with without the use of a smoker. It is used when inspecting the hive and queen; it is needed when carrying out work to treat insects, prevent diseases, and disinfect the beehive.
The smoker generates thick smoke, which is achieved by supplying air to the housing in which the fuel smolders. It comes out through a hole in the lid, which allows you to direct it where you need it.
The smoker consists of:
- metal cylindrical canister (stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper);
- an internal container with a lattice bottom in which fuel is placed;
- a cone-shaped lid-spout from where the smoke comes;
- furs;
- check valve;
- lattice body and protective casing.
The design, although quite primitive, is effective.
Varieties
The most common type of device is manual, and it is also the most affordable. It is usually used by most beekeepers in apiaries because it is simple, and if it breaks, it can be easily repaired or replaced with a new one.
Electric smokers powered by batteries are available.The design includes an electric motor and a fan, which facilitate the operation of the device, but it is more expensive and needs to be repaired more often. There are also mechanical devices whose fan is driven by a spring wound with a key. The smoke supply is controlled by a lever.
There is no difference in efficiency between the types of devices; the choice of one or the other depends on the preferences of the beekeeper. Smokers of all types can be charged with the same types of fuel, such as the tinder fungus, which is a popular material for creating smoke for beekeepers.
What to fill with?
You can put any plant material into the smoker that emits a lot of smoke when smoldering. You can use wood chips, rotten wood, bark, and unburnt coals as fuel. It is important that the wood is not resinous. You can use any fruit and wild trees.
A tinder fungus is used, it emits thick smoke, which is what you need to get. You can also fill the smoker’s container with dry mullein, rotten wood, or special preparations that are sold in stores for beekeepers. To treat bees against varroa mites, dry horseradish roots are placed in the device.
Do not use hard wood chips, straw, which burn rather than smolder, gasoline and similar flammable substances.
How to kindle
Before loading fuel, the device must be cleaned of carbon deposits, especially all holes. Place fuel and a piece of paper for ignition on the grated bottom of the glass. Set the paper on fire and blow it with bellows. First you need to create a little traction, then the movements of the bellows can be increased.
Terms of use
To successfully work with a smoker, you need to adhere to the following rules: the smoke should not be hot, its volume must be regulated, observing how the bees behave. Do not allow the hot smoker to touch the frames. If work is temporarily stopped, it is not necessary to extinguish the smoldering; it is enough to place the device on its side.
The beekeeper's safety precautions also include the sequence of working with the smoker:
- Before opening the hive, you need to send smoke into the hive so that the bees calm down.
- When inspecting the nest, the smoke should envelop the frame evenly and not accumulate in one place.
- Sudden movements should be avoided so as not to anger the bees.
- Only one frame needs to be fumigated, the others need to be covered with a cloth.
To stop the smoker from working, you need to close the holes in the housing. Oxygen will stop flowing and the fire will go out. Clean the device only after it has cooled down.
Smokers can be used in enclosed spaces if they have excellent ventilation. Taking precautions will reduce the likelihood of insect attacks and help maintain health.
You can determine whether you need to increase the amount of smoke by looking at the behavior of the bees. If they flew out of the hive, but turned towards it, there is enough smoke for now. When they fly back again, you need to increase the speed.
Which equipment to choose?
The operating principle of all devices is the same, the design is simple, so you can choose any model. For a small apiary with several hives, an ordinary simple smoker will be enough. If there are many bee colonies, it is better to purchase a device with a fan so that your hands do not get tired after work.
A smoker for a beekeeper is one of the most necessary devices. Without it, it is difficult to do any work inside the hive.The device makes it easier to care for bees, treat them, you can easily pick up the frames if you need to pump out honey, and so on. When using smoke, this job becomes much easier, since there is no need to fear that the bees will begin to attack. You can work calmly, the quality of work will be higher, and it will take less time.
