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Typically, I can inspect a hive or two without smoke, veil etc.
unless bees become defensive because they bothered by yellow jackets,
bumbles bees and there is little nectar coming in.
By the time I get to the 3rd hive, the bees start becoming
defensive. I believe they smell the different queens' scent from the
previous 2 hives on my hands... I will then light up my smoker using
pine needles. I use smoke very sparingly since it can be later
tasted in honey.
Pine needles are abundant and free around here and produce a very
thick smoke. The needles burn rather quickly so you have to refuel
often to keep the smoke going.
I mentioned to my beekeeping uncle in Poland that I was using pine
needles here in the US. He felt the pine needle smoke was on the
harsh side and irritated bees. He prefers to use linden/basswood
wood chips. The smoke is lighter and keeps going longer. But it
does effectively quiet bees down. I plan to try basswood chips as
soon as I collect some.
My uncle also said that robbing phacelia plants in your hands makes
the hands smell attractive to bees. I recently got some phacelia
seeds that I will plant this week so I'll be able to test this theory.
It's been said on Bee-L several times that sumac smoke knocks off
varroa although it seems to irritate bees. I am not convinced the
benefit outweighs the smokey taste in honey unless only the brood
deep is smoked with honey supers off.
Waldemar
Long Island, NY
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