The bee smoker is a fundamental piece of equipment in beekeeping, allowing for the safe and efficient management of honeybee colonies. This simple device, which consists of a fire chamber and bellows, generates smoke from smoldering materials to pacify the bees during hive inspections. The smoke creates a temporary state of docility, which is necessary for the beekeeper to check for disease, monitor honey stores, and ensure the overall health of the colony without triggering a defensive response.
Why Smoke Calms Bees
The calming effect of smoke is a result of two distinct biological and behavioral responses within the honeybee colony. When a hive is disturbed, guard bees release an alarm pheromone, a chemical signal that quickly alerts other bees to the perceived threat, mobilizing them for a coordinated defense and making them more likely to sting. The smoke works by interfering with the bees’ sense of smell, effectively masking the alarm pheromone and disrupting the colony’s ability to communicate the danger signal.
The second mechanism is an instinctive survival response. Bees interpret the presence of smoke as a sign of a potential fire, prompting them to gorge themselves on honey in preparation for a possible evacuation. A bee that is engorged with honey has a distended abdomen, which makes it physically difficult for the bee to flex its body to sting. This temporary state of being full allows the beekeeper a window of about 10 to 20 minutes to work with the colony.
The Best Fuels for a Bee Smoker
The material used in the smoker must produce a cool, thick, white smoke that is not acrid or toxic to the bees. The best fuels are natural, light easily, and are capable of smoldering for a long time without producing excessive heat or sparks. Untreated burlap is a highly effective fuel because it smolders with low heat, produces consistent smoke, and does not gum up the smoker with residue. Untreated cotton rags or cotton fiber are also excellent choices, as they burn coolly and can last longer than many other materials.
Other common and accessible fuels include dried pine needles, untreated wood pellets, and dried leaves from deciduous trees. Pine needles are readily available but tend to produce a hotter smoke and contain resins that can clog the smoker over time. It is necessary to avoid any materials that have been chemically treated, such as pressure-treated wood, painted cardboard, or synthetic fabrics, as these can release harmful fumes into the hive.
Proper Smoking Technique and Bee Welfare
The proper application of smoke is as important as the fuel choice to ensure the well-being of the colony. To start the smoker, a small amount of tinder, such as crumpled paper or dry leaves, is lit at the bottom of the fire chamber, and then the main fuel is packed on top. The beekeeper must use the bellows to maintain a smoldering fire that produces a gentle, cool, white smoke, not a hot, thin stream or an open flame. A simple test is to puff the smoke onto one’s own hand to ensure it is cool to the touch before approaching the hive.
The smoke should be applied sparingly, beginning with two or three gentle puffs directed at the hive entrance before the outer cover is removed. A few more puffs can be directed under the outer cover and then across the top bars of the frames as the inspection proceeds. Beekeepers should use the minimum amount of smoke necessary to keep the bees calm, as excessive or hot smoke can stress the colony and cause unnecessary disruption.