I have 4 hives on individual scales that are plotted on a chart one reading a minute, just to see if messing with the hives would put off foraging. I smoked 2 while not smoking the other 2 the amount of nectar collected dropped by about 30% on the smoked hives for that day.
I was pondering this more today While driving..... Normally I try to work hives in the evenings. My theory has been they have all night to recover. I was also pondering something Michael Bush says all the time, " a little smoke is less disruptive than not smokeing them......" For that same reason (not setting them back, I seldom smoke nucs. Normally they are calm enough its not an issue. I am curious if anyone has info on Variations of how much smoke? Time of day, or just a gentle intrusion effects the hives??
Charles
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