Do-it-yourself smoker for bees: how to make, step by step instructions for making

The bee smoker is often used to maintain hives. With the help of smoke, it is possible to calm aggressive individuals without harming them. The device has a very simple design. Therefore, making a smoker for bees with your own hands usually does not cause any particular difficulties. If there is a need for a more complex model, it can be bought at a specialized outlet.

Description and principle of operation

The principle of the smoker is based on the innate characteristics of bees. They are naturally smoke-averse. It has to do with genetic information. The fact is that the ancestors of modern bees lived in the forest and fires were the greatest threat to insects.

When bees are fumigated with smoke, they fill their stomachs with honey and become calmer. Smoke has a pronounced sedative effect on insects. However, he does not pose any particular threat to them.

Besides the calming effect, the smoker has additional properties. It has a disinfecting effect. It can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Invention Story

The smoker was invented in Ancient Egypt. The first prototype of the device was an ordinary torch, which was used to scare away bees. He helped to get valuable honey.

Subsequently, a device was invented that became the prototype of the modern smoker. Structurally, it was a clay container with 2 holes along the edges. The first had a larger diameter, the second - a smaller one.Fuel was placed inside and set on fire. At the same time, air was supplied through a large slot. This was done manually. From the other end, the smoke came out in a thin directed stream.

After some time, in 1870, a design using furs was invented. This was done by the American beekeeper Hamet. This device had many advantages. At the same time, its main disadvantage was a lot of weight. In addition, for work it was required to use two hands at the same time. In 1883, the American Quinby made certain adjustments to the design. This made the smoker lighter and more comfortable. Subsequently, the device has undergone many changes. However, the main principle of operation remained the same.

Smoke design

In fact, the smoker is a metal container in the form of a cylinder with a spout. The structure of the device includes several elements:

1. Double layer metal case. It is often made of stainless steel.
2. Lid in the form of a conical spout. This element is removable or leans to one side.
3. Fur. These elements supply air to the housing to keep the fuel burning.

Handmade

To make a smoker with your own hands, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Take for the case of 2 cylinders. The use of stainless steel tools is recommended. Parts must have different sizes. The diameter of the main body should be 10 centimeters, and the height should be 25. It is permissible to cut the sleeve from a pipe with thin walls and weld it on one side with a plug. This will help get the bottom. The second blank should be done in the same way. However, it should be smaller. The smaller diameter cylinder must fit into the larger one.
2. Perforate the bottom and sides of the smaller cylinder. It is recommended to do this with a drill. It is recommended to weld 3-4 legs 30 mm high from below. As a result, there should be a gap between the bottoms. It is a blower.
3. Bend the thin steel cover. It should be in the shape of a cone. The diameter of the lower part should be chosen so as to put the cap on the body. Inside the lid, it is recommended to fix a steel mesh with small cells. The element acts as a spark arrester, which protects insects from burns.
4. Make a hole at the bottom of the main body. Fix the bellows with rivets.
5. Make furs from 2 rectangular plywood sheets. Fix the spring between the blanks. It is important that they converge at the bottom. The elements are fastened together with leather and a stapler. It is recommended to make an air hole at the bottom of the bellows and attach them to the fasteners on the body.

Fuel selection

Bees can't stand acrid smoke. Fuel must be selected taking this factor into account. Experienced beekeepers do not advise using ordinary wood, straw or sawdust.It is important that the fuel does not burn, as sparks can burn insects. A suitable option would be to use low temperature smoke.

The most common types of fuel that can be used are rotten wood. Beekeepers collect it from old trees and stumps. During combustion, the dust produces a soft smoke of low temperature. It is absolutely comfortable for bees.

The disadvantage of this type of fuel is too fast burning. Constant refilling of the smoker during the maintenance of bees is considered unprofitable. Instead of dust, it is permissible to use a dry fungus - a tinder fungus. It is found on trees as a growth. Such fuel emits smoke that is comfortable for bees for a long time.

Oak bark is considered another suitable type of fuel. It is permissible to use even slightly damp material. It smolders for a long time and does not burn. At the same time, the emitted smoke is comfortable for the bees.

It is forbidden to use softwood as fuel. It contains a resin that harms insects.

The smoker is an important device that makes bees calmer and has a disinfecting effect. Subject to certain recommendations, the structure can be assembled by hand.

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