Fun and interesting information and stories around beekeeping.
Experimenting with Vaporization Formulas for Smoky Scents
Developing a vaporization fuel to which bees react
The rich tradition of beekeeping
The domestication of the honey bee
About
Honeybees are the most important natural carriers of pollen. Over the last 75 years, bee populations have decreased by over 50%. Fewer bees means less food per year because bees are responsible for commercial food production.
Beekeeping is a hard disciple. 80% of beekeepers quit within the first two years.
Let's work together to solve these issues through technology. We can make this legacy better for future generations of beekeepers and ourselves.
1980s
Our Humble Beginnings
I started out beekeeping with my mom and dad in the early 1980s.
1990s
Lot's of Great Memories of Beekeeping
Great Childhood Experience until a Bear destroyed Hives.
2020s
The Family Reboots Beekeeping
We reestablish our Kentucky Hives.
2024
Launch of Technically Beeekeeping
We've been working on this for a while and decided to finally take the leap.
Experimenting with Vaporization Formulas for Smoky Scents
As I've mentioned in my video of the [Electric Bee Smoker](https://youtu.be/Z4yzM0qAfn8), I've been working on vaporization formulas that smell like smoke for years. I've found that campfire smoke scents with woody undertones work well. Ash and tar-like aromas contribute to the authenticity, and oils containing liquid smoke extract are particularly effective.
**Example Formulation:**
**Ingredients:**
- **Vegetable Glycerin (VG)** – Provides thick vapor and smoothness
- **5-10% Wood Vinegar (Pyroligneous Acid, Food-Grade Only)** – Adds an authentic smoky scent
- **Optional:** 2-5 drops **Cade Oil (rectified)** or **Guaiacwood Essential Oil** – Enhances smokiness
I've also experimented with **Vetiver Essential Oil**, which adds an earthy depth to the aroma. Additionally, **nicotine** is a known insect repellent, making me wonder whether the pipe-smoking beekeepers of the past benefited from its properties or if their breath—containing CO₂—helped disperse bees.
Stu Taylor had an interesting invention called the **Hive Bomb**. It was an aerosol that seemed to work well on bees. His [patent](https://patents.google.com/patent/US2900300) describes the use of hardwood tars and how bees react similarly to smoke. I have heard a rumor that this product was taken off the market due to concerns in California about aerosolized tar causing cancer in humans. Some essential oil tars, like **Birch Tar**, are designed to be vaporized without carcinogenic effects and make great alternatives.
NOTE: Originally I used Propylene Glycol (PG), which is commonly used in vaping and commercial products for enhances flavor and aroma diffusion. After reading [this research](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38000305/) on the affects of glycol overtime to honey bees, I no longer feel comfortable using PG with bees.
**Criteria for Evaluating Reactions Against a Traditional Smoker:**
1. Do the bees change their behavior at all?
2. Does the smoke drive the bees down into the frames?
3. Is there an **engorging reaction**? And how big is the reaction?
4. There's a **buzz of recognition** that the whole hive does when you smoke into a box. It is a distinct noise where the majority of the bees buzz at the same time.
5. Does the smoker also **mask the alarm pheromones**?
More experiments to come! 🐝🔥
Here are some pictures from my recent trip to Egypt. The hieroglyphs show honey bees providing sugar cane. I'm sure most people on this blog post are aware that humans have been domesticating honey bees since before the Egyptians, but I think that there is something special about how often they're mentioned. As beekeepers, we are all furthering an ancient and rich tradition. 🐝
