What is the best fuel for a beehive smoker?
The best fuel for a beehive smoker is simple and affordable, easy to light, burns for a long time and produces a cool smoke without injuring your bees or yourself. Bees need only feel cool gentle smoke from your smoker and not heat and sparks to be effective. Choosing the right smoker fuel is so important especially as a new beekeeper.
What makes a good smoker fuel?
Dried materials with high oil content make great smoker fuel. The oil keeps the smoke billowing, but stops the material from burning too quickly. Natural materials like pine needles, dried citrus peels, and dried herbs make great, long-lasting burning fuel. You can mix these ingredients with material that lights fast to get things going.
What is the best wood to smoke for bees?
Pine needles are easy to start and produce a beautiful white smoke. The smoke is calming to the bees and does no harm to the colony. It is important to keep some fuel (even more pine needles) on top of the burning needles in the bottom. Otherwise, you will have hot smoke. It is the smoldering fuel on top that produces the best smoke.
What can I use to light a bee smoker?
They are all easily lit by paper, smolder easily, and create a cool gentle smoke for your bees. Tobacco leaves also work great as a fuel source for your bee smoker. They are easy to light and produce a cool smoke just like pine needles, grass clippings, and dry hay.
What should you not put in a bee smoker?
Wood is difficult to light in a bee smoker and will take too long to start smoldering and produce sufficient smoke quantities. Twigs and small sticks should also not be used in a bee smoker. These small items tend to burn fast with a lot of heat and produce very little smoke.
Can you use wood pellets in a bee smoker?
0:275:21How to light a smoker using wood pellets. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou need to make sure it's food grade since you're going to be blowing into your hives. There's noMoreYou need to make sure it's food grade since you're going to be blowing into your hives. There's no fillers in it it's just compressed the wood.
What do you put in a hive smoker?
2:212:57Beekeeping 101: Using a Bee Smoker - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we use pine straw.MoreSo we use pine straw.
How do you get smoke in a bee smoker?
Crack the lid, direct a puff or two inside the hive, briefly recover the lid, then proceed to open the hive. Direct several puffs of smoke downward between the frames. It is normal for bees to buzz loudly as they flee the smoke. This degree of smoking is frequently sufficient to allow the beekeeper to do most jobs.
What can I use to smoke out bees?
The smoke beekeepers use can come from a variety of fuels such as burlap, pine needles, wood pellets, twigs, or cardboard. The role of smoke is to calm bees, therefore you should never use synthetic materials or paper that's been bleached as it can irritate the bees.
What type of smoke calms bees?
The researchers suggest that the ability of hop smoke to reduce venom droplet release in even the most perturbed bees may be due to the presence of lupulin in hops. Lupulin is known to have sedative effects on the nervous system, so it may calm bees, as well.
Can you use leaves in a bee smoker?
To be effective, your smoker needs to be filled with the appropriate fuel to create smoke. Many types of fuel may be used to start and fill your smoker, such as newspaper, dried leaves, pine needles, burlap or chipped corn cobs.
Do bees like burnt wood?
The bees didn't mind charred wood. If you scorch the inside of a hive & put bees in there, they'll most likely abscond, that's what I found. However if you transfer an established colony, brood & all into a scorched hive, the bees will stay. It wont take long for the hives odor to overwhelm the scorched smell.
How do you calm bees without smoking?
0:025:40Don't smoke your bees! Do this instead... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost of you who've been watching my videos know that I don't use smoke to allegedly control beesMoreMost of you who've been watching my videos know that I don't use smoke to allegedly control bees what I use is water spray instead here it is my favourite water spray.
Can you use sage in a bee smoker?
Is there something you've been throwing out that you could burn instead? Herbs like mint, sage, basil, lavender, and oregano burn with a flash of sweetness and white smoke. Eucalyptus leaves are highly flammable and have a strong medicinal scent – they are great for getting your smoker lit.
How do you keep a bee smoker lit?
5:137:40Lighting a Bee Smoker that will stay lit all day - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can sprinkle the wood chips in there and do the same process start off with a few get themMoreYou can sprinkle the wood chips in there and do the same process start off with a few get them burning. Once they're burning throw a few more in till you get a nice base of balls.
Why do beekeepers wear white?
As a result, it is thought that overtime bees have learnt to dislike dark coloured animals who approach their hives. Therefore by wearing white, a beekeeper can approach and open the hive without the bees becoming defensive and attacking, decreasing the chances of the beekeeper being attacked/stung.
How do you use pellets in a smoker?
Once your coals are totally covered in white ash and to a hot, even temperature, add your wood pellets to the coals. You want to use enough of the pellets to create a thin layer over your charcoal. As soon as the pellets ignite and start smoking, you are ready to start cooking your meat.
How do I light wood pellets?
3:0713:07How-To Efficiently Manage And Light Wood Pellet Fuel When ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then put the piece of wax soaked cotton material. And then the cotton ball into the wood gasMoreAnd then put the piece of wax soaked cotton material. And then the cotton ball into the wood gas stove and light it it's very easy just it takes a couple of seconds to do it it's very fast.
How do you use a pine needle to smoke a bee?
1:223:38How to light a honeybee smoker, using pine needles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGet that flame going like I said the winds going a little bit so may make my hand a little hot todayMoreGet that flame going like I said the winds going a little bit so may make my hand a little hot today. And then as the flame starts kind of burning out the paper.
How do you light pellets on a smoker?
0:021:12How to Light a Pellet Grill | Grillabilities from BBQGuys - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to leave the lid up and go into the smoke mode or smoke setting. And until your girl beginsMoreYou want to leave the lid up and go into the smoke mode or smoke setting. And until your girl begins smoking leave the lid up and let it do its thing once it starts to smoke produce smoke.
Importance of a Bee Smoker
Anyone who works with bees will need to have a reliable smoker. The smoke will stop the bees from defending their hive. This ensures that they won’t try to sting you, ensuring that all your bees will survive.
Why Does the Fuel Used in a Smoker Matter?
The fuel that you are using in your smoker is important. This will determine the way that the bees respond to it. Using the right materials will keep the bees relaxed. However, not everything that makes smoke will be a choice. Some types of fuels will release harmful chemicals. These have the potential to hurt your bees.
Best Fuels for Bee Smokers
The good news is that there are plenty of smoker fuel options that you can use in your smoker. This includes:
Can You Use Smoker Pellets in a Bee Smoker?
When thinking about what to use in your smoker, it’s tempting to use pellets. This might be a good solution. It will create plenty of smoke. The only thing to be concerned about is the heat that the pellets are producing. If the fire gets too hot, it could start to hurt the bees.
Lighting a Bee Smoker
Once you have gathered the appropriate fuels, it’s time to light the smoker. This is fairly simple, as long as you follow the right procedure. The steps to follow are:
Using a Bee Smoker
Once you have the smoker going, it’s time to put it to use. First, you’ll need to pump the bellows a few times as you are approaching the hive. This will cause the smoke to waft through the area. After a few minutes, you should notice less bee activity.
Cleaning a Smoker
Finally, when you light a fire, some resins might accumulate in the spout. This can limit the amount of smoke that is coming out. How much resin will be produced will depend on the type of materials that you are using. For example, pine needles are known for producing a lot of resins.
What is the best fuel for bees?
Dry Hay. Dry hay is a great fuel for your bee smoker. It has much of the same qualities as dried grass clippings such as: easy to find, easy to light, and produces a cool gentle smoke for your bees. Many beekeepers use dry hay as a fuel for their bee smokers.
What is the best starter for a smoker?
A quick note on starters for getting your fuel lit and smoking. The best starter is balled up newspaper, shop towel, or scrap paper. These starters have a low combustion point, are easily lit with a lighter, and will quickly get your smoker fuel smoldering.
How to smoke grass clippings?
Again, use paper or even a piece of shop towel as a starter. Ball it up and place in the bottom of your smoker and light it. Then start stuffing grass clippings on top, while pumping the bellows and continuing to stuff grass clippings in until full. Then close the lid on your smoker, pump the bellows a few more times and you’ll have nice cool smoke.
How to smoke dry hay?
Simply ball up a piece of paper in the bottom of your smoker, light it, then continually pump the bellows while stuffing in dry hay. Once your smoker is full, close the lid, pump the bellows a few more times and you’ll have nice cool smoke.
How to light pine needles in a smoker?
The best way to light pine needles is to simply use paper as a starter. Ball up some paper and light it in the bottom of your smoker. Then stuff dried pine needles on top while pumping the bellows and keep stuffing in more pine needles until your smoker is full.
How to get a nice flame in a smoker?
Like the other smoker fuels, ball up some paper, place it in the bottom of your smoker and light it. Pump the bellows a few times to get a nice flame and embers.
What material should I use for a starter for a smoker?
Just make sure they are 100% cotton; you don’t want any other type of fabric such as spandex or polyester. Like all the other fuels I’ve described above, you simply use paper as your starter. Simply ball up some paper or newspaper in the bottom of your smoker and light it.
Why Smoking Works
The first thing to note is why beekeepers use smoke to begin with. Smoke does not actually scare bees away. It doesn’t render them unable to attack. Rather, smoke triggers a natural reaction linked to their preservation. It is that natural reaction that reduces aggression.
Very Basic Instruments
Bee smokers are very basic instruments. They consist of a chamber to hold the fuel and a nozzle through which the smoke is injected. The modern bee smoker was invented in the 1800s by a man known as Moses Quinby. But even before Quinby’s invention, beekeepers had other ways to smoke out their bees.
Common Smoker Fuel Choices
Again, there is no best kind of bee smoker fuel. Just stick with natural fuels and you and your bees will be fine. A good place to start is burlap. Burlap is a woven fabric normally made of natural fibers like hemp or jute. It is incredibly durable, which is why it’s used to make animal blankets, potato sacks, etc. It also smolders quite nicely.
What is the best fuel for a bee smoker?
What makes good bee smoker fuel? 1 Dried materials with high oil content make great smoker fuel. The oil keeps the smoke billowing, but stops the material from burning too quickly. 2 Natural materials like pine needles, dried citrus peels, and dried herbs make great, long-lasting burning fuel. 3 You can mix these ingredients with material that lights fast to get things going. Brown paper, dried deciduous leaves, small twigs, cotton, and straw work well.
What makes good bee smoker fuel?
Dried materials with high oil content make great smoker fuel. The oil keeps the smoke billowing, but stops the material from burning too quickly.
Why do beekeepers smoke?
A smoker is a tool used by beekeepers to calm bees while they inspect and work in the hive. The smoke produced by the smoker triggers a reaction in the bees and leads them to believe that their hive is on fire. The bee’s natural response is to prepare for a possible relocation.
Why do bees eat honey?
The high consumption of honey leaves the bees in somewhat of a food coma which leaves them lethargic and are much more docile. For more on how to use your smoker, visit my post Understanding Your Smoker.
Is it safe to smoke lavender?
Much like incense or a smudge stick, lavender smoke would have calming benefits, eucalyptus, and sage would have antibacterial properties etc. In any case, you want your smoke to be safe and healthy.
Can smoker fuel be used to make hive?
These products work well, but smoker fuel can be made for free and may even be medicinally beneficial to your hive if you have the time to gather and prepare the right materials.
What is the best fuel for a bee smoker?
Pine needles. Pine need les work very well as fuel for a bee smoker. The pine needles contain resin and oils that smolder very well, and the smoke produced is not acrid.
What kind of smoke do bees smoke?
In bees’ natural environment, the smoke they would ordinarily encounter would be wood smoke, leaf litter smoke , or smoke from brush fires. As beekeepers, we need to find a smoke source that gives the type of burn we require and produce smoke as natural as possible for the bees.
Why do bees smoke?
The purpose of the smoke used in beekeeping is intended to calm the bees down and prevent them from becoming agitated when you open the hive to do maintenance or harvest the honey.
What is the purpose of smoldering fuel?
The intention of the fuel used in your smoker is to smolder rather than burn. Smoldering fuel produces better smoke than fuel that burns quickly with a lot of associated heat . We do not want a lot of heat from the smoker fuel, but rather lots of smoke from a low smolder instead of a quick burn!
Can you smoke wood in a bee smoker?
Wood is difficult to light in a bee smoker and will take too long to start smoldering and produce sufficient smoke quantities.
Can you use corrugated cardboard in a smoker?
Corrugated cardboard is different from plain cardboard and should never be used in your smoker. Corrugated cardboard is a layer of corrugated cardboard sandwiched between two flat layers of cardboard, all held together with adhesive.
Can you smoke with kerosene?
Your smoker fuel should be as natural as possible and produce good, white smoke with as little heat as possible. Never use a fuel that produces black smoke.
What is the best smoke fuel for bees?
Cons. The overall best smoker fuel is cotton, because it offers cool smoke that will not harm the honey bees within your hive colony. The last thing you want to do is have an ember fly out of the smoker and hit your queen. If this happens the queen either dies immediately or will be harmed enough not to lay eggs.
What is quality smoke?
Quality smoke is defined as “smoke that will not injury the honey bee”. The smoke from the fuel needs to be cool enough that you can puff smoke from the smoker directly on the back of your bare hand. Anything warm or hot will at a minimum burn the wings of the honey bees and/or burn the bees on contact with the smoke.
Do pine needles gum up smokers?
Must have a barrier of new needles between the needles burning and the top of the smoker. Pine needles contain resins and will gum up your smoker. Relatively short burn period due to an open flame.
Why Use Bee Smokers
The Honey Keeper bee hive smoker is our Budget Friendly Pick and it’s a hard option to ignore from such a reputable company. All of the features that make a worthy bee smoker are there, the durable material, the well thought out design, and the price are what every beekeeper wants to see.
Best Bee Smoker Fuels
You have a wide range of choices when it comes down to picking out a bee smoker fuel, with so many options on offer, we wouldn’t be surprised if you became slightly overwhelmed, but don’t worry, we are here to help. We’ll guide you through all of the recommended fuels and what unique features you should be looking out for.
Best Attributes For a Bee Smoker
Finding the right bee hive smoker will mean sifting through the good and the bad, there are many smokers out there that might look the part, or they might be tempting at a low price but there are some features that you should look out for.
How to Use a Bee Smoker
Bee smokers are used for when you need to make inspections on your hives or when it’s time to harvest your honey. Knowing how much smoke to use will come with practice, but one common mistake is to use too much. Just a couple of puffs of smoke is more than enough to get you started, allowing around 20-30 seconds before you actually begin your work.
Top Tips For Using Your Smoker
Consider different types of fuel for your own requirements, some will burn longer than others so it all depends on how much time you need your smoker kept burning for.
How to Light a Bee Smoker
Lighting a smoker is considered quite an easy process if you fully understand how they work and what each part of the smoker is used for. The simple design allows for easy operation and handling.
How to Clean a Bee Smoker
Once you are finished with your beekeeping duties and you’ve successfully tended to your bees, there are some best practices to follow when you are putting your smoker away.
