Fascinating post @sarmizegetusa! With honey bees struggling due to the climate and environmental changes, I've been taking an interest in helping them. This was a big change for me- I've been terrified of them my whole life! It's so cool to see the way you two maintain hives! I am hoping to get brave enough to have some hives of my own someday :) These small guys aren't so scary when you know what to do, I'm sure!
What is in the smoker? Is it the smell of burning that lets them know it's best to stay away, or the smoke itself?
I never would have thought of a mouse entering a hive! Thank you for the informative post, and all of the photos!
Yes, bees aren't that scary. If you get a proper bee keeper costume, bees can not attack you, but my paraents have been doing this for over 20 years so they aren't scared.
A smoker is a container - a metal can with a hole on the bottom, with bellows attached and covered by a cone lid/ The fuel material can be wood chips, dry pine cones, fry corn cobs without maize pr even old cloths. The smoke will make the bees dizzy and they will not attack, keeping us and also them safe.
Smoke is also used when harvesting honey, because it will interfere with their communication.
Glad you liked it :)
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