Smoker (beekeeping)
The smoker is a beekeeping device that is used to generate smoke in beekeeping . The smoke quiets the bees and makes work on the colony easier for the beekeeper. The smoker consists of a cylindrical combustion chamber with a nozzle and a bellows that is used to drive the smoke.
In contrast, the traditional beekeeper pipe is operated with breathing air. The beekeeper holds the pipe between his teeth. This can damage the teeth, and smoke often gets into the eyes and airways. Probably because of these disadvantages, the smoker is enjoying growing popularity. In the smoker, inexpensive materials such as sawdust, straw, tansy , rotten softwood (e.g. poplar ) or herbs are usually burned as smoking material .
The use of this smoke enables the beekeeper to work more calmly and without stinging the bees. Smoke is perceived as a threat by bees as well as by many other animals. Its perception prompts bees to prepare for an imminent escape from the hive. They fill their honey stomachs as a supply of food for the escape, but they are so distracted that they are less aware of beekeeping work on the colony.
Smoker with bellows
Using a smoker
Beekeeping pipe made of aluminum
Using a beekeeper pipe
literature
- Klaus Nowottnick: Smokers , beekeeping pipes and smoking material yesterday and today In: Schweizerische Bienenzeitung 03/2009, p. 22 ( Online , pdf)
