I really do sing 'Rule Britannia' louder than anyone else, but Garth in his
reply regarding my criticisms of the UK mongrel bee made another point of
which I am so supportive, that is the use of the smoker, maybe that
instrument is what antagonises our bee.

Garth stated, "As an African beekeeper one will ((never)) try not to use a
smoker. Early learning experiences teach one fast how to use this useful
implement."

But go to any demonstration in the UK and the first thing the majority of
operators do is blast obnoxious smoke in through the entrance, suppose to
dull the 'attack' response, something about thinking their home is shortly
to be engulfed with fire. And then they expect to find the queen, or more
importantly judge the strength of that colony, no chance as you have alarmed
the colony, and maybe even made them more defensive.

No as always (well maybe the majority of the time) I agree with Garth, the
smoker is a tool to be used when needed and not as an instrument to torture
our beloved insect.

My apiaries are a 'smokeless zone' (apart from the piece of rosewood filled
with good English cured tobacco I dangle from my mouth), but readily
available if needed, and generally my lot are a peaceful bunch.

Ken Hoare