On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 14:34:14 -0700, Cal French <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >--he uses very little smoke, just a little puff at the entrance-- There are so many variables here that a simple rule is impossible. What kind of day is it? Is there a honey flow on? Is it a strong colony, are the bees defensive as a rule? Have they been robbing lately? Are there yellow jackets around? Can you handle the frames like a surgeon or are you an oaf? Etc. On a terrfic day working four frame nucs, who needs a smoker? On a crummy day, after the flow quits, and you have to tear a five story hive down to the bottom box because the queen is confined by a queen excluder (this is an increasingly common practice), you may need continual application of smoke. When I go to work, I have my smoker lit up to produce billows of smoke. I may not need that much, but if I do I want to be ready. I have a good line burlap right now, so that's what I use. Coffee sacks, if you want to know. But I was really hoping to hear about some more UNUSUAL smoker fuel. pb -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---