The Smoker: A Beekeeper's Best Friend

A common phrase used amongst bee keepers is, "A smoker is the beekeeper's best friend." Why is this a sentiment that is frequent stated and shared?

The simple answer is that the smoker calms the bees. But how does blowing smoke on the bees calm them? Essentially, it is a defense mechanism. When the bees detect the smoke, they start to believe that their home is about to be destroyed by fire. So, they start to gorge themselves on honey to prepare for a time without a home. This also causes them to be lethargic, as their flight is somewhat limited when they are full of honey. Another thing the smoker does is mask any pheromones that the bees give off. When a bee stings you, it gives off a scent known as the "attack pheromone", which signals to the other bees that there is an intruder in the hive and that they need to attack as well. This is why people are often stung multiple times when they approach a hive without smoke. When the pheromone is masked, this risk is dissipated quite a lot.

In terms of materials to use in a smoker, it is best to use something natural rather than synthetic materials. Stan Moulton, our beekeeper at Bee Champions, prefers to use burlap with bits of grass and bark in his smoker. Other beekeepers use pine needles and 100% cotton, both of which are good options.

Here are some training videos on how to start and use a smoker:

You can purchase a smoker here.