May 14: Two Most Important Tools

The two most important tools for a beekeeper are the hive tool and the smoker (see picture of my equipment). The hive tool is used to pry open the hive boxes--the bees use propolis (like glue) to seal the cracks in their homes. I also use the hive tool to spread apart frames inside the hive box that are stuck together with wax, so that I can pull them out to inspect them. It's also a good idea to keep the burr comb (comb where it's not supposed to be) scraped off of the hardware.

Smoke is puffed into the hive every time you want to open it up. (I've not used smoke and learned my lesson.) The smoke serves two purposes: 1) disrupt the alarm pheromones of the guard bees at the entrance before they alert the rest of the bees of the intruder; 2) cause the bees to think that there is a fire and they should guorge themselves with nectar and honey in preparation to escape. Eating distracts them enough that the beekeeper can go about business.

I use cedar chips (hamster bedding) for my fuel. It is important to never use fuel that might be treated with chemicals, like burlap or twine. Also, you obviously need to make sure there are no flames shooting out or you will singe the bees.

Last year, I bumped into the smoker with my left calf (I had shorts on) and burned it pretty severely. At the time, I was so busy with the bees, that I didn't even notice. It took a long time to heal and was pretty gross.

I don't wear protective equipment like a veil (see picture of my niece) or bee suit or gloves. It is difficult to maneuver with that bulky stuff on, and I so rarely get stung that I don't bother

It's really too bad I wasn't able to take a picture last year of my brother with his hand inside the bee package trying to retrieve the queen cage that had fallen inside. His hand was covered with bees. He didn't even get stung! He calls himself "the bee whisperer."