Don't forget your smoker

[Woody Roberts]

Went down to One of my outyards today. While packing I had the nagging feeling I was forgetting something. When I got there I realized it was my smoker. No problem, I rarely use it anyway.

The first two hives were a little grumpy but normal for fall Russians with honey to protect. When I pulled the inner cover on the third hive they darkened the sky. I had on my jacket, veil and gloves but still took 30 or so stings thru the jacket, gloves and pants. I closed them up and moved to the next one. Same way. This is when I decided I could inspect another day.

Lesson learned, smokers are like pocket knives. Worthless until you need it and invaluable when you do.

I like to see the good in everything. In this case my back had hurt all day. By the time I got home it was fine. My one arm is a little swollen from too many stings I one spot, the other arm is a little itchy and I have an itchy spot on one butt cheek. But my back is fine!

[riverbee]

woody, you sooooo make me laugh!  thanks for your post, some good words of wisdom and some good humor..........!

thanks!

[pistolpete]

You're a brave man, I would have been out of there after the first 10 stings, let alone open up another hive.  Once you have that much attack pheromone floating around and no smoke to mask it, the battle is lost.  Took one to the nose the other day, so I feel your pain.   I used to do lots of inspections without smoke and they go off fine if you don't squish any bees, now I rarely take the chance.

[Jen]

Hi Woody    Now if you would let me teach you how to put 2-3 stings up your spine, maybe 1 or 2 times a week...   

[crazyk]

Lol I can remember one night we moved our hive and one bugger got out the gate and stung me under the eye.

What pain and a swollen face I got!


Jen I think I might need sting therapy. My back always aches!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Perry]

Simple rule, smoker and hive tool. Difficult to use one without the other. 

[brooksbeefarm]

Also, don't turn supers up side down so the frames fall out , seems to PO the bees. Jack

[Perry]

Also, don't turn supers up side down so the frames fall out , seems to PO the bees. Jack

Perry walks up to list on wall and puts yet another check mark under Jack's name! 

[Woody Roberts]

Also, don't turn supers up side down so the frames fall out , seems to PO the bees. Jack

It's just like when you flip a unwired, unattached at sides and bottom foundationless frame up sideways except x10

[Bakersdozen]

Woody, I appreciate someone who can see the positive in a bad situation.  Glad your back feels better.
Speaking of smokers, I have been using the original smoker I bought when I started beekeeping.  It's a beginner's smoker that never stayed lit long enough and I had to fight to keep the lid on, etc.  Last fall I bought a beautiful smoker that was on sale.  I put it on a shelf and continued to use the old one.  I don't know why.  Yesterday, I did sugar roll tests for mites.  I fired up the new beautiful smoker and couldn't believe what I was missing.  The new smoker was designed so much better.  It stayed lit the entire time, put out nice cool smoke and had a cork to put out the fire.   There is a difference in the quality of smokers. So, newbees, if you are having trouble working a smoker, it might not be you!

[Garden Hive]

Perry:
Perry walks up to list on wall and puts yet another check mark under Jack's name! 

 
I saw this coming !!!!

[Marion]

I use the smoker every time I inspect, however, I hate ours because the lid does not fit well and ends up flopping in the breeze. Well, today, unintentionally, I backed into and ran over our smoker that was cooling on the side of the driveway (with our campground golf cart). Flattened that sucker. Had to order a new one.

[Perry]

I use the smoker every time I inspect, however, I hate ours because the lid does not fit well and ends up flopping in the breeze. Well, today, unintentionally, I backed into and ran over our smoker that was cooling on the side of the driveway (with our campground golf cart). Flattened that sucker. Had to order a new one.

Hey,...................................I wonder if that would work with other stuff? 

[Marion]

Kind of like that commercial where the kid asks his father to fix his remote control car. Then you see the Dad zooming around in a sports car as the kid controls it. The kid says "Gee, I've got to break more stuff."

[LazyBkpr]

Yes it does work Perry.. You just have to pick and choose what you want replaced and decide if it is worth what you are about to experience when you tell "her".........

[riverbee]

"Well, today, unintentionally, I backed into and ran over our smoker that was cooling on the side of the driveway (with our campground golf cart). Flattened that sucker. Had to order a new one. "

what, the smoker or the golf cart?..............      

[Marion]

Even though the golf cart is an ancient Harley Davidson, it survived, the smoker did not.

[apisbees]

Marion it was a new one this year? After a little time the creosote will tighten it up.

[CpnObvious]

I'm about ready to go all "Office Space" on my smoker...  When ever I "need" it, it's gone out...  If I light it just in case I MAY want it... I'll see it still smoking 2 hours later.  I can't figure the, eh-hem, dang thing out.

[Marion]

Apis, it was new this year. It's done now. Ordered a new one.

Cpn, I use corrugated cardboard peeled apart for thinness and roll it up in the bottom. Lite this. Stuff in very dry pine needles. I push them down in with a stick. Keep packing and giving it air with the bellows. Usually works well. Got to pack it. I dry pine needles out in a thin layer on my picnic table in the sun and then store in a cardboard box.