There are a few different things that beekeepers spray on bees. The most common method is a smoke spray, but sugar water can also be used.
Smoke pacifies bees by masking their alarm pheromones. This makes it easier for beekeepers to carry out inspections without being stung or attacked by the bees.
Smoker
Smoking has been a popular method of calming bees since early beekeeping, but there are a number of alternative methods that can be used. One is a smokeless liquid that is sprayed onto the bees.
Using a smokeless liquid is a good option if you are working with a swarm or if your smoker cannot be lit in certain situations (such as an flammable storage unit). It is very similar to a spritz of ‘normal’ smoke, so bees will react in a similarly ‘calm’ way.
A traditional smoker is a metal container with bellows attached that is filled with kindling and then lightened by puffing the bellows. It is usually made of stainless steel with a narrow opening at the base, and a bellow nozzle that opens to force air through the cylinder.
There are several fuel options for smokers including baler twine, wood chips or shavings, untreated burlap, cotton fuel pellets and a range of other materials. It is important to use a safe fuel that produces a cool light smoke and burns slowly.
Sugar Water Spray
Sugar water spray is a common tool beekeepers use during winter to help keep bees alive until the honey supply returns. Bees are sensitive to moisture and will not survive a winter without adequate food.
The sugar water spray that beekeepers spray on bees is usually made from sugar and water. The beekeeper mixes the sugar and water into a solution of 2:1.
This ratio is intended to mimic the quality of bee food that they are missing. The amount of sugar and water used is usually adjusted depending on the time of year.
It is important to make sure the sugar water is fresh and not contaminated with bacteria or other microbes that can cause disease and death. Several beekeepers boil the water to kill any microbes before using it. A sterile spoon should also be used to stir the sugar solution. This will prevent the sugar water from containing any harmful bacteria or fungi.
Sugar Solution
Beekeepers spray a sugar solution on bees to calm them down and make them preen themselves and eat. Some beekeepers also use smoke, which they deliver using a smoker.
When you add sugar to water, the sugar crystals dissolve and form a solution. This is a homogeneous solution, meaning that the sugar is mixed evenly with the water.
You can also mix a liquid with a gas to make another type of solution, called a gaseous solution. Humidity, for example, is water (a liquid) dissolved in air (a gas).
In your experiment, you’ll find that sugar and salt have different dissolving rates. The rate at which they dissolve depends on several factors, such as their chemical natures, the liquids you use to dissolve them in, and how much water is in each container.
Smokeless Liquid
Beekeepers spray a smokeless liquid on bees to keep them calm during hive inspection. The smoker masks a chemical pheromone that bees release when they sense danger, allowing the beekeeper to safely open a hive without getting stung.
When bees are agitated, they emit alarm pheromones that send signals to other bees in the hive that indicate they’re ready to attack. This is a very effective way to organize the colony against a beekeeper, and it can quickly turn into an escalating battle.
To prevent stinging, learn to use smoke carefully and correctly. Move smoothly – like you’re practicing Tai Chi – and don’t make sudden movements.
