Tobacco and Varroa....

Beeswax Bob · April 14, 2008, 03:41:52 PM

I was looking through a beekeeping catalogue and came accross a bag of tobacco for sale. Its states use for braula control. I don't think that I've got braula but it does say that it's useful for varroa detection.

What if any effect does using tobacco have on varroa?

Bob

jimmyo · April 14, 2008, 07:48:15 PM

We use it when the mite count gets high we put some tobacco in the smoker. It works for us. The mite count is high the next day then it is much lower after. nicotine is a poison. It seems to work on the mites.
We heard about using food grade mineral oil on cotton balls in the hive to induce cleaning behavior. we'll probably try this instead of the tobacco next time.
jim

Hayesbo · May 09, 2008, 07:36:01 PM

I have cartons of expired cigs that I wondered if I could use a little in the smoker. I didn't think about the nicotine being a poison. I did wonder if menthol cigs would help with mites, varroah and tracheal, though.

Any ideas on the menthols? they do nothing for me, I don't smoke they are just returns from the job.

Steve

Michael Bush · May 10, 2008, 01:01:14 PM

Tobacco has been popular for smoker fuel for many years. I don't like the smell and too much will kill the bees.

Vetch · July 24, 2008, 01:17:23 PM

When I took a beekeeping short course, one of the experienced guys said that using some tobacco in the smoker will knock down bees initially, but when it wears off, they get pretty angry.

BeeHopper · July 24, 2008, 03:06:27 PM

Quote from: Vetch on July 24, 2008, 01:17:23 PM
When I took a beekeeping short course, one of the experienced guys said that using some tobacco in the smoker will knock down bees initially, but when it wears off, they get pretty angry.

Would it be considered " Second Hand Smoke " :evil:

KONASDAD · July 25, 2008, 03:40:43 PM

Quote from: BeeHopper on July 24, 2008, 03:06:27 PM
Quote from: Vetch on July 24, 2008, 01:17:23 PM
When I took a beekeeping short course, one of the experienced guys said that using some tobacco in the smoker will knock down bees initially, but when it wears off, they get pretty angry.

Would it be considered " Second Hand Smoke " :evil:

Only if you blew smoke in yourself!

Keith13 · July 25, 2008, 04:51:36 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 10, 2008, 01:01:14 PM
Tobacco has been popular for smoker fuel for many years. I don't like the smell and too much will kill the bees.

Yet people smoke everyday!! That's awesome

Keith

golddust-twins · July 25, 2008, 07:11:23 PM

Yep.....and it kills people everyday. And don't get me wrong I'm not passing judgement. I have lost too many family and friends to tobacco.

Corinne

SgtMaj · July 26, 2008, 02:48:07 AM

Quote from: Vetch on July 24, 2008, 01:17:23 PM
When I took a beekeeping short course, one of the experienced guys said that using some tobacco in the smoker will knock down bees initially, but when it wears off, they get pretty angry.

Back when I used to smoke... I got pretty angry when I didn't smoke for a while, too. Addiction is a nasty thing... though when I did finally decide to quit, it was actually very easy.

Still, I will defend a person's right to smoke. Sure it's bad for your health, but people should have the right to make their own choices in life. Even God recognised that as a fundamental right.

SgtMaj · July 26, 2008, 03:52:19 AM

Quote from: Hayesbo on May 09, 2008, 07:36:01 PM
Any ideas on the menthols? they do nothing for me, I don't smoke they are just returns from the job.

Not sure about the cigs... when I used to smoke, some people told me (and I do consider these sources UNreliable by the way) that the menthol cigs also contain fiberglass resin.

Anyway, I do like the idea of menthol in the smoker, but I do wonder why you couldn't just add straight menthol to the smoker fuel instead of menthol cigs? I'm also not sure that small a dose of menthol would do anything at all for the control of trachea mites, or if it would help them build immunity to it.