I've used 'unprinted' rolled cardboard as a smoke medium for several years now. Cut to size and rolled to fit tightly inside the smoker. Start w/ a few scraps of lit paper placed in bottom of smoker, placing roll inside while puffing. It lights easy, 'always' sends out cool smoke, never goes out and can last for over an hour once started.
Discovering this method changed my beekeeping life for the better.
Feeding; Leave them the majority of any honey after mid-August, maybe later in your region, not sure. As Insurance at winter wrap up, I pour dry sugar (5-10lbs) above/around the inner cover, hole open and inside an empty super with 2" rigid insulation on top of sugar, then covered by telescoping cover. Sometimes by Spring they get to the sugar, sometimes they don't, but its just insurance and hopefully they have enough honey instead.
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