How Do You Smoke your Bees? 🐝

Ben Framed · April 14, 2022, 01:19:07 PM

CHECK this out!

https://youtu.be/w7nS-aN6p8k

Ben Framed · June 20, 2024, 01:15:52 AM

I posted this some time ago. Still interesting to me 😁

maxell86 · January 12, 2025, 06:43:19 AM

You gotta love smoke to smoke bees like that.

And if you did that method in the suburbs, some clown would call emergency services.

buzzbee · January 12, 2025, 07:27:39 AM

The pitcher plants are interesting as well.

Ben Framed · January 12, 2025, 07:53:33 AM

Quote from: maxell86 on January 12, 2025, 06:43:19 AM
You gotta love smoke to smoke bees like that.

And if you did that method in the suburbs, some clown would call emergency services.

Max, I do not suggest that you smoke bees in this manner as there is no need in Australia with modern up to date methods shared, accepted, and in use.. . The point of posting this video is to show how different people in different parts of the world make do with what they have. This fella apparently does not live in an up-to-date, modern beekeeping environment and obviously uses the methods handed down to his people from generation to generation, which gets the job done for his needs in his environment.

On the other hand, if you were suddenly to bravely decide to work your bees, barefooted, in nothing but a pair of shorts, you might reconsider, by smoking your bees in this manor?

It may save you a lot of stings! lol

Thanks for your post and bringing the smiles!

It is 31F here at my location and my bees are in for the winter. How is the weather there at your apiary in Australia? How are your bees faring? Has varroa reached your location?

Phillip

paus · January 12, 2025, 11:04:18 AM

Very interesting. I have heard of several things about smoking bees since since I got my first hive in 1949. One old gentleman about my age said he used tobacco stems and it really calmed the bees. I like to start my smoker with pine needles and then add pecan hulls, this makes the smoke smell like BBQ smoke, and it burns for a long time if the hulls are crushed. I have used dried coffee grounds along with other fuels and this seems to me to have a more calming effect than just other smoke. I would like to hear from others about using dried coffee grounds, this also smells good.

gww · January 12, 2025, 05:29:15 PM

I work my bees in shorts and basically bare foot (crocks). What I have found as the easiest to get and work with smoker fuel is cut grass. I wait till the yard is tall, cut it and then let it dry in the sun and fill a few chicken feed bags with it and then use as needed. It does not last that long but is soft and easy to add more and easy to light. I am hobby and have found that bee keeping is done when it is hot and I figure even if I do get a sting, it is better then sun stroke. With just a few hives and no time table, I just back off till they calm a bit if I get them jumping. I get a sting here and there but can look many times with out getting one most times. It actually amazes me how most times the bees let you get pretty rough and don't come for me.

Ben Framed · January 12, 2025, 07:07:55 PM

How did you like the way the guy in the video from Asia or (wherever) he resides, handled those bees gww?

gww · January 12, 2025, 10:29:38 PM

I admit, I didn't click on the link. I had a bit of trouble over the last two days even getting on this site but all seems well now.

Terri Yaki · January 12, 2025, 10:46:14 PM

Quote from: gww on January 12, 2025, 10:29:38 PM
I admit, I didn't click on the link. I had a bit of trouble over the last two days even getting on this site but all seems well now.

I had problems too and figure that everyone did.

Ben Framed · January 12, 2025, 10:57:56 PM

Quote from: gww on January 12, 2025, 10:29:38 PM
I admit, I didn't click on the link. I had a bit of trouble over the last two days even getting on this site but all seems well now.

Gww, We can thank Robo for his dedication to Beemaster along with his extended work and long hours of correction that all seems to be well on the forum now.
I don?t know if you all have noticed, but at the bottom of the main page is displayed the record breaking number of visitation to beemaster!

In my opinion, it is due to quality post as you and others have made just prior on this topic, while sharing your thoughts and opinions, for example that is appreciated and viewed with interest by so many the world over! Thanks to all of you for all the good post in all headings on Beemaster, while following the bylaws which help insure Beemaster remains and continues to be a family friendly, non-commercial, beekeeping forum!

Thanks every one of you,

Phillip

Ben Framed · January 12, 2025, 11:08:29 PM

Quote from: Terri Yaki on January 12, 2025, 10:46:14 PM
Quote from: gww on January 12, 2025, 10:29:38 PM
I admit, I didn't click on the link. I had a bit of trouble over the last two days even getting on this site but all seems well now.
I had problems too and figure that everyone did.

Thanks Terri, no one was excluded from the problem including Beemaster2 himself.

Michael Bush · January 13, 2025, 06:03:54 AM

The problem with smoking bees is getting them stay on the paper while you roll it...

Terri Yaki · January 13, 2025, 06:52:29 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on January 13, 2025, 06:03:54 AM
The problem with smoking bees is getting them stay on the paper while you roll it...

I thought we were smoking them on the grill.

BeeMaster2 · January 13, 2025, 09:47:01 AM

After being run off by a very nasty hive during honey removal, that I had given smoke to, I saw a video on how to smoke bees and really calm them down.
I now teach the same method to clubs and during BeeFest.
You get the smoker making thick smoke, smoke the hive from the bottom 3 or 4 puffs. Then you wait 10 minutes and smoke them again and wait 30 seconds. I tried this on that mean hive, in full protection suit. I didn?t have one bee come at me. They were as calm as can bee.
Try it, it really works. It puts them in the same mode as if they were ready to swarm.
Jim Altmiller

Terri Yaki · January 13, 2025, 09:49:20 AM

What are you smoking them with, MJ?

BeeMaster2 · January 13, 2025, 09:50:18 AM

Just pine straw.
Jim Altmiller

cao · January 13, 2025, 11:42:06 PM

Quote from: BeeMaster2 on January 13, 2025, 09:47:01 AM
You get the smoker making thick smoke, smoke the hive from the bottom 3 or 4 puffs. Then you wait 10 minutes and smoke them again and wait 30 seconds.

I don't follow that exactly but basically do the same thing. I think it works so well because after the first few puffs of smoke gets the vast majority of the bees to gorge themselves with nectar. By the time you smoke them the second time, the nectar stuffed bees have calmed down and the rest start filling themselves. I have had that smoking method not work a few times. When it didn't work was late in the summer during a dearth. After getting into the hive, I noticed that they had no open nectar so they couldn't gorge themselves.

gww · January 14, 2025, 12:31:09 AM

Cao
That is the difference between a commercial guy that just has to get stuff done and a hobbyist like my self. The very few time I find them just in a bad mood, I close up and just pick a different day. I also notice they can get a little funny right after they swarm or when they first start making a queen after a split. Sometimes early spring when a flow is just starting they will fly out and bug me. Of course it could be a skunk bugging them or some robbing started when resources are tight in the spring. I love not really having a schedule and being able to walk away and take it up later as it usually does not last too long before they are nice again.