Have you used Herbs as fuel for a smoker?

[FlowerPower99]

Just wondering how you've used it or what went into how you prepared the herbs for the smoker.

I like the idea of being able to grow/make a smoker fuel at home (like Lavender) instead of having to buy fuel.

[iddee]

Pine needles are one of the best fuels. Yard grass clippings work, too. Rolled up cardboard is great. Bailing twine, the tan type, is my favorite. An old t-shirt or jeans work well.

There is no reason to ever buy fuel.

[JP]

I was using burlap but the price went up a good bit, using pine straw now and notice less tar build up. Emil's smoker always smells nice, he uses old jeans. Schawee uses grass clippings, lasts quite a while and smells kinda nasty to me though.

Since you mentioned herb or rather herbs...

Two years ago, I removed a hive from a garage wall interior and the home owner's repair guy busted out some whacky tobaccy. I asked him to blow some of that stuff all up in the hive and we waited to see if the bees had any brownie requests but never really noticed any difference whatsoever, just since you asked! 


...JP

[schawee]

I use pine needles now and smells better than grass "the legal kind"   and its free

[Joe D]

I use pine needles or shredded paper to get it started the fill  smoker with wood chips.  I have a chipper I put small limbs through, usually have a 5 gal bucket of chips mixed with saw dust in shop.



Joe

[bud1]

last one i know that uses them herbs kinda roles thim in some paper. but he dont blow no smoke on the bees.

[AllenF]

I like to use the dry free herbs that grow in the woods around the hives.  Red oak, hickory, and pine herbs all grow wild and are free. 

[ozebee]

As well as pine needles I have used the bark from a paperbark tree (Melaleuca) and it burns and smokes profusely. The smoke can be a bit hot at times however but it is very easy to light because of the oils in the bark. Has anyone else tried it??

[Bee Happy]

I don't know if Cedar boughs count as an herb, but it's pretty much all I use. It's supposed to work for mites, and I'll chalk it as a win - cause all the bee troubles I've had weren't mites - and half of those were stupidity or ignorance on my part.

[Finski]

.
I keep smoke as mild as possible. No strong smokes, no strong odors, no herbs no this or that.

Bees go into panic easily and they rush down and soon up

-

[sawdstmakr]

I've used essence of cow (cow paddy) but that was just to keep the smoker lit. Once I learned how to tightly pack the smoker with the pine needles, it was no longer necessary to use them. When it is packed real tight the smoke is very cool, as in cold.    Scott and Schawee did a great video on this at Bud4.
Jim

[Finski]

.

heh heh heh

Give them mercy..

Beekeeping - Lighting a Bee Smoker

[JackM]

Well those special herbs are legal in WA now, so I can mention.  Tried some last summer to see if the effect on the bees was any different.  I noticed no difference.  Frankly I think sawdust is best for me.

[Lone]

heh heh heh

Give them mercy..

haha  it's bad when the beekeeper is the one getting smoked out.

Flowerpower, you could use aromatherapy but that lavendar might make them all sleep.  I prefer to play the mandolin for them like at the start of Finski's video.

 

Lone

[Michael Bush]

Hard to beat whatever is handy... dried grass, pine straw, but I guess burlap beats it because it burns longer and stays lit...

There is no reason to work hard at smoker fuel nor to buy it...

[FlowerPower99]

Many great suggestions. Thanks everyone!

[Beeboy01]

Has anyone tried coconut husks for smoker fuel? I have a bag of them when from when I pulled the husks off of some. Going to give them a try this weekend if the weather hold out and was wondering if they work or not. 

[JP]

I'm sure coconut husks would work fine, similar to palm tree fibers that I've used, get them between the stalks.


...JP

[Stromnessbees]

I usually start off with an egg box, then add a few dried teabags on top.
The teabags keep going for a long time and don't smell too unpleasant.

[jan]

I have a ready supply of road apples all around the place.  I tried them and they actually work quite well!  You just have to make sure they are not fresh!  The green ones dont light real well!