One of the most important tools of any beekeeper is a smoker, without which the beekeeper simply can not do in everyday work. Any penetration into the hive becomes a big stress for the bees, so they become embittered and begin to attack the culprit, trying to sting him. It is precisely to pacify irritated insects that a smoker exists, which calms them and enables the beekeeper to perform the necessary work.
Therefore, any novice beekeeper should know the features, types and scheme of a smoker for bees, because this device will allow him to perform maintenance work on the apiary quickly and efficiently, without fear for his health.
The history of the smoke
The first prototype of this device was found in ancient Egypt. And before that, the bees were scared away by smoke from an ordinary torch. The invented fixture was a clay vessel that had two holes at both ends. In one of them, a larger size, the person simply blew. Another hole served as an outlet for smoke from manure burned inside, which in those old days served as fuel. Such a simple device is used at present in many underdeveloped countries.
And only in 1870, the American beekeeper Hamet developed a design using furs. Such a device greatly improved the ability of the beekeeper, but had a very large weight, so he had to be held with two hands.
Already in 1883, Quinby, a beekeeper from America, made improvements to this design. After that, the bee smoker became much easier and more convenient to use, but the furs combined with the furnace quickly failed. And soon, a compatriot of Quinby - Bingham - developed a device with a separate firebox. The use of the direct traction principle is applied to the present. Of course, further many changes in the design of the device took place, but the principle of its operation did not change.
Device design
It may seem to a beginning beekeeper that a bee smoker is structurally difficult to construct, but if you look at it, this is completely wrong. You can name the following details of this device:
- Two containers that fit into each other (most often aluminum). They are a double-sided cylinder or glass having a blank bottom.
- The bellows, which make up the air supply system, also act as a regulator of the volume of smoke emitted.
- Cover with a conical branch pipe (nozzle).
- Swivel grille.
Types of Smokers
There are not many types of devices for working in an apiary, and they differ mainly in the nature of the air supply to the furnace. The main types of smoke for bees are as follows:
- Manual. It is considered the most accessible and common among beekeepers. In operation, such a device has been used for several centuries and is distinguished by its unpretentiousness.
- Electric smoker for bees. This is a more modern device, inside of which a fan is mounted. The rotation of the blades is carried out using an electric motor. Such a device is more expensive and more difficult to repair.
- Clockwork mechanical. He presents a device that constructively combines the properties of a manual and electric smoker. To rotate the fan, you have to start its system manually. Has a removable bottom that is easy to clean. At the bottom of the case there is a regulator that controls the intensity of the smoke.
Self-made device
Before making a smoker for bees with your own hands, you need to think carefully about the main structural features of the future product, as well as select and prepare the appropriate material.
The manufacturing process is as follows:
- Pick up two cylindrical containers. The large one should be up to 0.1 m in diameter and about 0.25 m high. It will continue to serve as the fixture body. A smaller cylinder should fit freely in the housing.
- Several holes are made to increase airflow into smaller containers.
- Holes are also drilled on the side of the housing for attaching bellows.
- Next, a lid is made, which should have a conical shape. It is necessary to observe the tight fit of the cover to the body.
- Be sure to insert a metal mesh into the lid to prevent sparks.
The manufacture of furs
The most important element of a do-it-yourself smoker for bees is furs. Despite the fact that the appearance of this part of the smokers seems unpretentious, it is nevertheless necessary to treat its device with all responsibility. For manufacturing you need:
- Take two planks measuring 15 × 15 mm.
- Nail a few compression springs onto the lower plane.
- Similar springs are attached to the second plank, located at an angle of 45 ° relative to the first.
- Then, using small brackets, the skin is fixed on the cheeks of the furs.
The final step in making a bee smoker is to connect the two main parts together.
Fuel and smoke firing
A big mistake, especially for beginner beekeepers, is the use of wood chocks or straw as a fuel for a smoker. Experienced beekeepers recommend using dry rotten trees or dust from an old stump. Many in early spring pick mushroom tinder fungus, which grows on trees. Such a dried mushroom during combustion emits non-corrosive and non-toxic smoke of appropriate density. The main thing is that the fuel does not burn, but simply smolders.
There are many opinions on how to rekindle a smoker for bees, but the most popular to this day is considered a simple way - using crumpled paper. They set it on fire and put it in a glass of smoke. Small squeezes of bellows help fuel to flare up. When dense dense smoke started, the smoker was ready to go.
Some recommendations of experienced beekeepers
Each apiary owner should know how to make a smoker for bees, and use it according to a strictly defined scheme. But experienced beekeepers have some tricks:
- In order not to anger the bees, it is not necessary to run smoke into the summer without the need.
- Control the temperature of the smoke; it should not be too high.
- With a temporary suspension of work, the smoker is better to put on one side. It will not go out and will be ready for work.
- Do not touch the frames with a hot device.
- Carefully monitor the behavior of the bees to determine the smoke intensity.
- When working with peaceful bees, it is advisable not to use smoke to avoid unnecessary stress for them.
If you follow these simple rules and tips, the bees will remain healthy, and the owner himself will not suffer. At the end of the work, put another smoldering smoke in an iron bucket to avoid the hive catching fire.