CALM-VET – Smoker Alternative

Some days in the apiary, the smoker causes more hassle than it solves. A forest apiary where lighting a fire is a real risk, a long day with ten hives to check and a smoker that keeps going out, or a respiratory issue that means you need to avoid smoke altogether. If you've been in any of these situations, you know exactly what I mean.

CALM-VET is a liquid complementary feed that offers a genuine alternative to the traditional smoker. Its formula combines eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils that act on the bees' sense of smell, masking alarm pheromones and producing a calming effect lasting 10 to 20 minutes — enough time to complete a routine inspection. Duration varies with colony strength, ambient temperature and hive ventilation: on hot days above 30 °C the effect will be shorter. The formula also includes vitamin A, which supports wound healing in bees.

Field-tested on Carnica, Caucasian and Buckfast colonies during the beekeeping season, with consistent results in healthy production colonies. If the inspection runs long, you can reapply, though effectiveness decreases with consecutive applications as bees become accustomed to the scent. Do not exceed twice the recommended dose — essential oils in excess can be toxic to bees.

Application: shake vigorously. Mix 3 ml per litre of water and apply with a fine mist sprayer (this matters — a coarse spray won't deliver the same results). Spray the entrance and surrounding bees 2–3 minutes before opening, then re-spray once frames are exposed. You'll need 50–100 ml of solution per hive depending on the number of occupied frames. Can also be used with a backpack sprayer in large apiaries, provided a fine mist nozzle is fitted. Suitable throughout the entire beekeeping season, including during bloom. The prepared mixture retains its properties for 3 days at room temperature (15–25 °C).

Yield: a 200 ml bottle prepares 66 litres of solution — enough for over 600 inspections at 100 ml per hive.