Using A Bee Keeper’s Equipment (Smoker)

A beekeeper must keep the bees in control every time the hive is open. A typical hive can house thousands of workers all capable of stinging.

There are measures a beekeeper can take in the open that he can not take in the city because of the closeness of other people.

Using A Bee Keeper’s Smoker

Smoke is the most important tool for the beekeeper opening a hive. Smoke should be used in moderation, but the smoker should be capable of producing large volumes of smoke on short notice.

The beekeeper must smoke the entrance of the hive, under the cover, and periodically smoke the frames while the hive is open. Try not to jar the hive or the frames as that may anger the bees, which will make it hard for a beekeeper to do his work.

Before you open the hives, puff smoke into the entrance of the hive, then move on to the next colony or at least standing off and waiting – allowing time for the bees to react to the smoke.

Keep the smoker handy – you may need it while inspecting each colony. How to tell if repeated puffs of smoke are a necessity? If you have some bees looking at you, make them scatter with a few puffs of smoke.

The beekeeper must work quickly and carefully. By going through the frames several times a year, the beekeeper keeps the frames movable. Remove any excess combs.

Using gloves when working with bees make the beekeeper clumsier and he may lose control of the hive. The stings that the gloves are protecting you from are easily removed and the pain quickly passes.

Other Clothing and Equipment

Purchase and use a veil.

Protect the most sensitive areas of your body.

Avoid dark or rough textured clothes.

Gloves should be used sparingly.

Wild Honey Hunt – Old Fashioned Way

In the old days, when on a search for wild honey a ‘hunter’ would, after determining the location of the hive, smash the hive. This would send the bees into a frenzy of collecting the spilled honey, and once gorged, find themselves too fat to fight.

However, it was still common practice for these gentlemen to stupefy or confuse the bees with the fumes of burning sulfur or with tobacco smoke.

This practice evolved into the use of a bee keeper’s smoker (see some on sale – smoker) as we know it today.