Do-it-yourself smoker for bees

Smokers for bees are used by beekeepers during the maintenance of hives. Smoke clouds calm aggressive insects without harming them. The design of the smoker is so simple that it is made independently. Advanced models are purchased at specialized outlets.

What is a smoker and why is it needed

In fact, a smoker is a metal container, usually in the form of a cylinder with a spout. The device of the simplest design has three components:

1. Double layer metal body. The best manufacturing material is stainless steel.
2. Cap in the form of a conical spout. Depending on the model, the element is removable or leans to one side from the body.
3. The bellows supply air to the inside of the hull to keep the fuel burning.

The double body of the device forms a firebox. The inner second element is a similar part, only smaller and with a mesh bottom. It is here that the smoldering of fuel occurs. Due to the absence of contact of the main body with heat, the outer surface of the smoker does not heat up.

The lid with a long spout is convenient for supplying smoke to the frames and into the notch. Bellows are a mechanical pump that supplies air into the furnace. With each pumping, the heat swells, a thick portion of smoke comes out of the spout.

The soothing effect is associated with the special effect of smoke on insects. The bees are afraid of him. When smoke appears, they collect a full goiter of honey. A heavy burden prevents the bee from bending. The insect becomes clumsy, calmly moves along the frames and body of the hive. The beekeeper at this time is inspecting the frames, servicing, pumping out honey. Smoke cannot guarantee 100% protection against bees. A few insects will still sting the beekeeper, but the main swarm will not interfere with the work.

Varieties of smokers

The principle of operation of smokers of different models is the same. The device differs, which affects the usability. The following types are available to beekeepers:

1. An ordinary bee smoker is the simplest, most reliable, and most common, but requires constant manual air pumping. Such work does not always suit beekeepers when it is necessary to serve large families of bees. The factory-made model consists of a body, a hinged lid with a spout, a loading cup with a slatted bottom. Furs are made of two plywood elements connected by skin. Between the plywood is a spring that works in compression. The mass of the product is about 1 kg.
2. The model under the name “Ruta” is identical in design with a simple apiary smoker. The difference is the country of issue. The model is widespread in the USA and European countries.
3. Volcano is very popular with beekeepers. Compared to previous models, the device is self-acting. A winding mechanism is installed on the bottom of the case, which drives the fan. A rotating propeller blows the smoldering fuel with its blades. Additionally, “Volcano” is equipped with an adjusting lever. Left position – maximum smoke, right position – minimum smoke.
4. The beekeeper’s electric smoker is similarly powered by a fan. The device does not need furs. The fan is powered by a battery installed inside the additional compartment.

“Volcano” and the electric model are the most popular with beekeepers containing a large number of hives. The devices work almost independently, you just need to add fuel in time.

Is it possible to make a smoker for bees with your own hands

If there is a desire or need, a do-it-yourself smoker, it is better to start assembling with the simplest design. Production order:

1. For the body you will need two cylinders, preferably stainless steel. Parts must be different sizes. The diameter of the main body is approximately 100 mm, the height is approximately 250 mm. The sleeve can be cut off from a thin-walled pipe and welded with a plug on one side to make the bottom. The second blank is made according to a similar principle, only smaller. The smaller cylinder should go inside the larger glass like a toy folding nesting doll.
2. The bottom and side walls of the smaller cylinder are perforated with a drill. 3-4 legs 30 mm high are welded from below, so that a gap is formed between the bottoms – a blower.
3. The cover of the device for bees is bent from thin steel in the shape of a cone. The diameter of the lower part is selected so that the cap is put on the body. A fine-mesh steel mesh is fixed inside the lid. The element will play the role of a spark arrester, protecting the bees from burns of the blown fuel.
4. A hole is drilled on the lower part of the main body in the blower area. The fasteners of the furs are fixed with rivets.
5. The furs for the beekeeping smoker themselves are made from two rectangular pieces of plywood. A spring is placed between the blanks at the top. From below plywood converge. You should get a V-shaped part. Between themselves, they are fastened with skin, shooting with staples of the stapler to plywood. An air hole is cut out in the lower part of the bellows and this part is attached to the prepared fasteners on the body.

The finished smoker is tried in action. If everything works, you can go to the bees.

A homemade electric smoker is made according to a similar principle. Only furs are replaced with a snail with a fan. You can find a toy blower in the store. Instead of a handle, fix a motor from a children’s toy. Attach the propeller to the rotor shaft. The outlet nozzle of the blower is fixed to the place where the hole for the bellows is prepared. In addition to the smoker, a plastic box is fixed, which serves as a case for batteries.

Which smoker is best for bees

It is impossible to specifically answer the question about the advantage of one or another smoker. Pasechniks are people of principle. Everyone has their own habits, prejudices, plans. In terms of ease of use, the beekeeper’s ordinary smoker is in the first place.

From a scientific point of view, an electric smoker is not only productive, but also gentle on bees. A constantly running fan is able to inflate raw fuel. The smoke, together with the steam, comes out of the spout almost cold, without burning the bees.

“Volcano” is also not bad, but it requires a periodic opening with a key, which is not always convenient. On the other hand, the battery is also discharged and it has to be changed.

How to properly light a smoker

It is easy to ignite any smoker design. The main thing is to prepare good fuel on the eve of visiting the bees. The sequence of ignition of an electric device for fumigating bees:

1. Remove the ash collector and smoke tube. A bunch of splinters are set on fire with a lighter, put in the loading hole. Turn on the fan to fan the fire at low speed.
2. After complete ignition, a small amount of fuel is added. When thick smoke goes, the bunker is loaded with fuel to the top. They put a tube in place.
3. Dry urotropine is placed in the ash collector, set on fire. The fan continues to run at low speed.

It is even easier to ignite an ordinary beekeeper’s smoker. The inner glass is filled with dry fuel. Set fire to a piece of crumpled paper. The fire is put on fuel, covered with a lid with a spout and they begin to intensively inflate with furs. Air shocks will ignite. The fuel will begin to smolder, releasing thick smoke.

In the video, a quick ignition of a smoker for fumigating bees:

How to fill the smoker for bees

Bees do not like acrid smoke. With this in mind, it is necessary to select fuel. Ordinary wood, sawdust, dry straw will not work. The fuel must not burn. Sparks will burn the bees. Optimally dousing the hive with low temperature smoke. A common fuel is rotten wood. Beekeepers collect it on old stumps, fallen trees. The dust gives off a soft, non-hot smoke that is comfortable for the bees.

The disadvantage of rotten wood is rapid burning. Frequent refilling of the smoker during the maintenance of bees is unprofitable. A dry mushroom can replace the dust. A tinder fungus grows on a tree in the form of a solid growth. Smoke comes out of the mushroom much longer and is just as comfortable for the bees.

Another type of fuel is oak bark. You can even take a little damp. The bark smolders for a long time, does not light up, the smoke is comfortable for the bees.

Terms of use

When fumigating bees with a smoker, they work in compliance with the rules:

• only those frames with bees that need to be removed from the hive for maintenance are fumigated with smoke;
• after opening the lid of the hive, you can not immediately blow smoke, let the bees calm down;
• during the fumigation of bees, one should not let smoke into the nest;
• the smoker, if possible, is removed from bees and honeycombs so that hot smoke does not harm them;
• if the smoker is temporarily not needed, they put it on its side, then inflate it again;
• at the end of the maintenance of the bees in the smoker, all openings are closed, and the fuel decays without access to oxygen.

The body of the smoker is not hot, but warm enough for bees and honeycombs. Even an extinct device is placed further from the hive, as it cools down for a long time.

Conclusion

The smoker for bees should always be kept in good condition. In hot, dry weather, a defective appliance can cause a fire.