Okay, I’m filing this under “infrequently asked questions,” but about five years ago my doctor asked me this exact question and I’ve been mulling over it ever since. I’ve never actually seen anyone fill a smoker with marijuana, but that doesn’t mean anything. And the doctor was from Texas, which probably explains everything.
I find it amazing that so many beekeepers use a smoker. It’s even referred to as the “beekeeper’s best friend.” But the day I gave mine up was the best beekeeping day of my life. So what’s wrong with a smoker?
For starters, it makes me sneeze. I’ve tried all kinds of fuel, including burlap, sisal twine, wood chips, and smoker pellets, but they all make me miserable. Also, I don’t have enough hands to manipulate the smoker, the hive tool, the lid, and whatever else I have with me. While klutzing around with it, I’ve ignited brush fires, scorched wooden equipment, burned holes in my bee suit, blistered my fingers, and killed a lot of worker bees. Half the time I forget to bring something to light it with, and the rest of the time I can’t get it lit regardless of which incendiary device I use. And once it’s lit, it always goes out before I’m done.
Then there’s the question of the honey. When exposed to smoke, bees tend to fill up on honey. This is the very thing that “calms” them down. To get the honey they will tear open sealed comb, if necessary, and make a mess of it. If you are trying to produce comb honey, a smoke-crazed bee is the last thing you want. Sometimes, too, flecks of ash can land on the comb, or the comb takes on the smell and/or taste of burned fuel. For those producing extracted honey or just pollinating, these honeycomb problems are pretty much a non-issue. But like I say, how you keep bees is very dependent on what you’re trying to accomplish.
In any case, if you don’t want to use a smoker, then don’t. The bees can be a bit irritating at times, but you get used to them, or you can spray them with a light mist of sugar syrup. I find the bees way less annoying than the smoker, and going without means fewer distractions in the field as well. So, while I don’t know why beekeepers are so addicted to their smokers, maybe the good doctor was onto something.
Rusty
[...] fuels are as varied as beekeepers If you’ve read my previous post about smokers, you know I’m not a fan. Nevertheless, I use one from time to time and have tried a variety of [...]
Hello and thank you for thinking outside the box!
I am not beekeeping and have no experience with bees. However there is a huge feral hive nearby that I would like to harvest from. Would you think it would be safe for me to harvest without a smoker without experience or familiarity with this hive if I go slow? The hive is very well exposed at least. It is hanging from an eve.
I think you should call a beekeeper to help you. Someone with protective equipment should be the one to examine the hive. Also, you don’t say where you live. But if you live in an area where Africanized honey bees live, approaching the hive could be very dangerous.
See if you can find a local beekeeper club. You can probably get a beekeeper to help you for free.
Also, I’ve been looking and looking online but I have found no guidance on how to discern which combs contain honey!
The same beekeeper who helps you with the hive can show you the difference between brood (developing bees) and honey. It’s kind of hard to see it in photos–much easier if someone shows you.
Okay, I live on Guam; I highly doubt there would be any Africanized bees here. And the hive is in a very populated area and has been there for ages — it must not be aggressive I figure. But I don’t want to be stupid. I guess I could ask the one beekeeper here. There are no clubs. I was just reluctant to do that because I don’t know if I would still get to score honey as I don’t know what his whole attitude will be. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!!
Maybe you could share the honey with him. Or maybe you could become the second beekeeper in the area. You sound like you might like it!