Hello from Indiana,
 
On occasion I have used ammonium nitrate in my smoker.  When it is
heated it produces nitrous oxide, laughing gas.  The first time I
used I was sure that I had killed every bee in the hive.  I had used
too much and the bees were all out cold.   In a few minutes they were
all back moving around.
 
Burning the ammonium nitrate can be dangerous.  It is used to make
what many people call dyamite.  It is mixed with kerosene and packed
in tubes.  It was the fertilizer that was being loaded on ships to
be sent Europe at a Texas port after WW II.  It blew up and nearly
wiped out the port.
 
I don't think that you need worry about it blowing up but it does
burn very hot and produces clouds of smoke, even without pumping the
bellows.
 
The way that I used it was to help controll a particularly nasty hive
or when I had to work on the bees when the conditions were not favorable.
I soaked burlap in a solution of ammonium nitrate and water and then
dried the burlap.  This was held separate from my other burlap to use
in extreme conditions.
 
I think that there has been some things written about health concerns
but if you don't use it everyday it probably wouldn't be any worse than
breathing the smoke from the smoker that has drifted into your face.
I don't want to breath anymore of it than necessary.
 
Charlie
 
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Charles R. Bradley
Extension Educator
Marshall County Extension Office
112 W. Jefferson Street  Room 304
Plymouth, IN 46563
Phone:  219-935-8545
Fax:    219-935-8612
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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