Two Smoker Recipes

Smokeless Smoke

Pour 1 1/2 oz. apple cider vinegar into a 1L. spray bottle.
Add water to make 1 litre.

Do not add sugar to the water unless you are prepared to have sticky gloves, a sticky hive tool, a sticky hive, a sticky veil, ...

Supposedly Varroa-killing Smoker Fuel

Any combination of sumac bobs, juniper and/or chaparral leaves.

HOW TO USE: Create a small gap at the back of the hive. Gently puff cool smoke through the lower entrance until it starts coming out the top. Close up the hive for one minute, then let the bees out.

WHEN TO USE: August 15? IPM smoking is more effective in the Fall when there is little brood. Smoke will not penetrate cell cappings so only affects phoretic mites.

NOTE: A heavy smoking can mar comb honey with specks of soot, so harvest those prize-winning combs first.