Hemp smoke for varroa control

[melliferal]

Just asking.

My Crimean beek friend has mentioned this several times as a practice in family lore.

Cheers,

Farm 779
Lazy Mountain, AK

"Family lore"?  Varroa has only been a problem in Europe for like 30 years, no?  :-D

Assuming we're talking about ROPE hemp (duuuude....wait, what?), I suppose it would be worth doing some experiments - but hemp rope in the US is likely to be treated with some kind of preservative to delay rot or what-not, and I'm not sure what effect burning such a chemical might have on the bees themselves.

[don2]

I have a 50 foot one inch dia. grass rope  that was purchased in the late 40's. Yes 40's. We used it for years with a block and tackle to hoist hogs and beef when we did home slaughtering. This rope has never been wet or has had blood on it. Family keep sake, well, sorta. But I have been thinking it may be dry rotted and I have not tried to use it for hanging a deer. I use the modern day plastic rope. Have gave some strong thought about cutting it into short pieces and smoke it, oh! I mean use it in my smoker. I think it is the same thing the old bailing twine was made of.  I am still fighting with my brain about it. :roll:  ;) :) d2

[Santa Caras]

I've wondered about this too.  8-)  If cannabis smoke made for a more docile bee?  I'm thinking not. Not enough smoke inhaled and its a dry smoke. Now for your question on if it would help with mites. Not sure there either. Most of the "smoke treatments" I've read about have to do with leafage that gives off an oily smoke like grapefuit and some of the others they list for mite treatment. I think the cannabis leaf is too dry and not oily enough. Now Hash-Hish on the other hand........ :mrgreen:

[edward]

It will probably give them the munchies and they will end up eating all the honey  :-x


mvh Edward  :-P

[LindaL]

I love this thread  :-D

[mdax]

Only problem is they get buzzed and then drone out

[jayj200]

they used to call it the munchies as I recall.

well I laughed to myself!

[G3farms]

I'd be afraid the Varroa would just eat more... and the bees would sit around laughing at each other...

:lau: :lau: :lau:

I guess that brings a whole new meaning to the "bees buzz"

[rwlaw]

Better watch out, the DEA will be putting undercover bees in our hives!  :-D
One guy told me to use black walnut for mites, another sumac buds. I like sumac, smells better, cause I don't think either works, not in the quantities it takes for a hive inspection anyway

[jayj200]

an with sumac you'll break out into itches.

[jayj200]

enough teasing
try it.
smoke doesnt stay long
jay

[Diogenes]

According to the Obama EPA rules, the only safe disposal method for "choom"... er... hemp, is to destroy it with a series of small controlled burns. Thus, I suspect a bee smoker qualifies as a safe disposal method. 

8-)

[BeeMaster2]

an with sumac you'll break out into itches.

Or drown due to the smoke getting into your lungs.
Jim

[jayj200]

Has anyone tried it? Hemp smoke for varroa control

[edward]

How or in what way would smoke of any kind effect the varroa mite?

[jayj200]

I think all bugs      breath

[Michael Bush]

If you make the Varroa hungry how does that pay off?

[edward]

 :-D

[jayj200]

Guess were gonna keep this buzzing

[BeeMaster2]

Jay,
You just haaaaad to bring it back to life.!!!   :-D
Jim