Has anyone tried this Liquid smoke ?? It even says Human consumption
I use a liquid Smoke in making Deer Jerky and If I use turkey burger I add some to it
So I guess if you did all you need is a Spray Bottle
Your Thoughts or Trials
Thanks
Tommyt
My dad used it a couple of time when he checks the bees. He likes it more than using the smoker. Also works pretty well when bees are being robbed. I guess it's all just a personal preference.
I won't recommend using liquid to calm the bees during an inspection. I go into the hive at a time of day when its prime for foragers to fly out and inspecting already disrupts their routine. It takes a longer time for the hive to get back into their routine when you wet the bees. I think one of the important routines at this time of the year is foraging and defending the hives from robbing especially from hornets and yellow jackets. When the bees are wet they are not able to defend the entrance as well.
I have used it for 3 years now. Great for quick inspections, not so great when you have to go through the whole hive. The ladies react to it slower than smoke and it doesn't last as long. I think it's great when I need to go in and replenish syrup, change medication, etc. I mix it pretty heavy, like half the bottle in a quart spray bottle.
Mike
I may have misunderstood liquid smoke. I assumed it was sugar syrup and you spray it on the bees. What is it?
Quote from: mathew on September 08, 2010, 06:00:36 PM
I may have misunderstood liquid smoke. I assumed it was sugar syrup and you spray it on the bees. What is it?
It is actually a Smoke Flavor in Liquid you(I) dilute it with water and put it in a Spray Bottle
I say I but I don't have bees yet I was going to use it on my Trap out
Tommyt
Oh thats interesting. 1st time i've heard of a smoke flavoured liquid for bees. Actually if you are comfortable , do your inspections on a sunny day, your bees are gentle and move slowly to avoid crushing any bees, you don't need smoke.
Liquid smoke is a byproduct of the charcoal industry an is considered food safe but is also a know carcinogenic. When wood is heated in an oxygen depleted environment, it first steams (this steam is collected as liquid smoke) and then chars into the graphite.
We make it here in a steel drum.
Scott
http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Liquid-Bee-Smoke/productinfo/470/ (http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Liquid-Bee-Smoke/productinfo/470/) And the other sites also.
Alton Brown has a GREAT way to make "homemade" liquid smoke. It works great and you can choose which type of wood you want to use as well.
Quote from: hardwood on September 08, 2010, 08:12:37 PM
Liquid smoke is a byproduct of the charcoal industry an is considered food safe but is also a know carcinogenic. When wood is heated in an oxygen depleted environment, it first steams (this steam is collected as liquid smoke) and then chars into the graphite.
We make it here in a steel drum.
Scott
Scott you say you make it do you make it for the Food industry as in Large company's using it as a Flavoring
for their Products or does yours go into the small bottles sold in the Grocery stores
Also
Thanks AllenF and Highlandsfreedom I like Alton Ideas I will look it up
Tommyt
Tommyt, I often make my own charcoal as a side effort to a firewood business I set up a few years ago. It's a great way to get rid of the little scraps and smaller branches. I learned how to make liquid smoke but wouldn't attempt to go commercial with it, I'm just not set up for it. The liquid smoke guys make TONS of charcoal a day and can harvest a good bit of the liquid smoke. I can only make 55 gals of charcoal over a two day period and might harvest two or three Tbsp per run.
Scott
I am pretty traditional and use a regular smoker. usually getting into enough hives I use at lease one load of fuel.. wonder how the caned smoke we use to test smoke detectors would work on bees??? know one thing,,, it wouldnt be cheap!
I look at it this way. To make liquid smoke for the bees takes time. To buy it, you are going to blow over a buck a pack. I burn anything in my smoker that doesn't cost me. Right now, I start it up with packing paper that comes with the boxes through the mail. And to reload in the field, dry leaves, pine straw, paper, or even cardboard. Free stuff that don't take much time. With the smoke smell, in a couple of months, everything I own will have a slight smoke smell with winter coming on. :-D
The liquid smoke smell lingers a lot longer, and I don't see that as an advantage... but I have tried it and went back to the real smoker.
So the liquid smoke used for food flavoring from the grocery store is the same stuff used for bees? Did I get that right?
Somewhere I read that Liquid Smoke (from the store) could be rubbed on your hands to keep the bees off them during inspections. I wear gloves tho so havent tried it.
Its great in homemade bbq sauce! And venison jerky. And wild turkey leg soup....
Some bee suppliers sell it, and yes it's the same stuff, except more expensive...