THE EFFECT OF VARIATIONS IN COMBUSTION OF BRIQUETTES FROM SAWSUDDINESS AND RICE HUSK ON SMOKER COMBUSTION RESIDUE, MORTALITY AND BEHAVIOR OF HONEY BEES
(1)Raufin Surya Rahman, (2)Sri Minarti, (3)Eka Nurwahyuni.

(1) Animal husbandry students at Brawijaya University
(2) Lecturer of animal husbandry at Brawijaya University
(3) Lecturer of animal husbandry at Brawijaya University

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different briquettes treatments made from rice husk
and sawdust mixtures on combustion residue, mortality, and honey bee behavior (Apis
mellifera). The experiment consisted of five treatments (P0, P1, P2, P3, and P4) with three
replications each, where briquettes were formulated using various composition ratios of rice
husk and sawdust. Observations were conducted on bee behavior during smoking, the amount
of combustion residue, and the number of dead bees after smoking. The results showed that
differences in briquette composition significantly affected (P < 0.05) all observed parameters.
Treatment P0 (100 persen rice husk) produced the lowest residue (1.25 more or less 0.08 g) and bee mortality
(2.33 more or less 0.58 individuals), while P4 (100 persen sawdust) generated the highest residue (3.87 more or less 0.12 g) and mortality (6.67 more or less 0.58 individuals). Bees under P0 displayed the calmest behavior with
stable smoke and low buzzing intensity, whereas P4 caused highly aggressive reactions with
thick smoke and frequent stinging attempts. In conclusion, an increased proportion of sawdust
in briquettes elevated smoke density and bee aggressiveness, while rice husk-dominant
briquettes (P0) provided the most effective smoking performance with minimal residue and
mortality.

Keywords: Apis mellifera, briquette, rice husk, sawdust, aggressiveness, mortality.

Topic: Animal Production