Hi All
 
Rod Billett put a question on this subject.
 
I spoke to experienced beekeepers about Smoker Fuel and they advised me to
get a supply of hessian(old sacking) if possible.
 
This is difficult to get, but I did manage to get a supply, and find it just
great. I roll up the sacking into a cylinder until it just fits into the
smoker box with a little space all around. To light it, I just hold a
cigarette lighter to the bottom of the roll - it lights very quickly, and
then slowly push the roll into the smoker box, giving the bellows short
quick pushes.
 
I recently came across an idea of sprinkling a few grains of propolis into
the smoker fuel - this is supposed to have a soporific effect on the bees. I
have tried this once so far, so I cannot say I have put it to a fair test.
At least it did not make them any angrier!. Any comments on this.?
 
It strikes me that cardboard could be highly suspect because of the
additives that Rod mentions.
 
Sincerely
Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
 
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Tel + 353 1 289 5269
Fax + 353 1 289 9940
 
'The Beeman from Ireland'