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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Understudy on March 06, 2008, 03:10:52 PM

Title: Smoke bombs
Post by: Understudy on March 06, 2008, 03:10:52 PM
Hi All,

I have a cutout tomorrow where I will be using a 35' boom lift.

The problem is the hive is so high up and exposed that as I approach it in the bucket the bees will come after me like there was no tomorrow. I have had a similar situation before.

Since they are about 12' above the condo roof. I was thinking of using some long duration heavy smoke  bombs. The problem is they have a burnt plastic type smell to them. All of the smoke bombs large or small do. My question is will that smell set them off more than the smoke will calm them?

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: Kathyp on March 06, 2008, 03:30:47 PM
your need a super soaker with syrup in it  :-)

they are handy for lots of stuff.  i use one to clean the satellite dish off when it snows. 
Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: BMAC on March 06, 2008, 03:31:00 PM
no comment on the smoke bomb.  Suit up and good luck.
Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: KONASDAD on March 06, 2008, 04:29:19 PM
get in position before they leave for day of foraging and smok'em before they get out.
Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: pdmattox on March 06, 2008, 04:39:09 PM
I would think any kind of smoke to mask the alarm scent would work.
We could rig up a leaf blower and smoker and from the ground shoot smoke at them.... just brainstorming
Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: BMAC on March 06, 2008, 04:56:23 PM
you know the whole leaf blower could work.  Just get a big pile of leaves on fire on the ground and suck that smoke in....
Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: Jerrymac on March 06, 2008, 05:05:25 PM
Quote from: Understudy on March 06, 2008, 03:10:52 PM
The problem is the hive is so high up and exposed that as I approach it in the bucket the bees will come after me like there was no tomorrow. I have had a similar situation before.

Perhaps this time will be different. Different time of year? Different flow? Different bees. They might not pay any attention to you at all. Suit up and go for it.
Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: Understudy on March 06, 2008, 05:34:35 PM
Quote from: kathyp on March 06, 2008, 03:30:47 PM
your need a super soaker with syrup in it  :-)

they are handy for lots of stuff.  i use one to clean the satellite dish off when it snows. 

That is not a bad idea. I have a similar device I use. The problem is only the outer layer of bees get wet. And they form a cohesive wall to protect the inner bees who sit there angry and ready to pounce the moment you disrupt the outter wall of bees.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: Michael Bush on March 06, 2008, 09:29:49 PM
Sulfur smoke is the standard method of killing bees without contaminating the honey.  All the smoke bombs I've smelled, smelled like sulfur.
Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: JP on March 06, 2008, 09:52:52 PM
Yeah Brendhan I would just suit up and go for it, like Jerry said, they might not be riled up. You know you could rile them up with the smoke bombs. Good luck and have fun, you will surely have a nice view, take lots of pics.

....JP
Title: Re: Smoke bombs
Post by: rdy-b on March 06, 2008, 10:54:11 PM
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