One of the biggest parts of beekeeping is tending to your hives. Bees can be temperamental, especially when they feel like they’re being attacked or their hive is being invaded.
A bee smoker is a stainless steel device that creates smoke. It’s the best way to calm the honey bees and keep yourself from getting bee stings. Learn how a bee smoker works with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
When bees think they’re being attacked, they release alarm pheromones. These alert the hive that they’re under attack.
Smoke masks these pheromones, keeping the hive from attacking you while you go in for hive inspections.
Smoke also triggers bees to scarf down their honey, because they think where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If there’s a fire, they need to abandon their hive. But before doing so, they consume as much of their honey supply as they can.
While the bees are distracted and eating, you have a chance to more easily do your work around them.
There are plenty of options when it comes to bee smoker fuel. It comes down to personal preference as a beekeeper. Many beekeepers use natural fuel sources found in their backyard.
Whichever kind you choose, you want it to burn clean and only produce smoke, not fire. You also want the fuel to burn slowly and at a low temperature. The following are just a few examples of common smoker fuels.
Burlap is a great store-bought smoker fuel. It burns clean and consistently without the terrible smoky smell.
Some beekeepers use wood chips. Just make sure you don’t use wood chips from treated wood, including those treated with wood sealer.
If you have them available, pine needles are a free, natural smoker fuel source. They need to be dry in order to produce smoke. They can burn quickly.
Crumple up a piece of paper or burlap, light it, and put it into the smoker’s chamber. If you’re worried about burning yourself, you can put the starter fuel in the smoker and use a long lighter.
Pump the smoker bellows to get some smoke going. As soon as the starter material catches fire, pack in your smoker fuel of choice.
Use your hive tool to really pack it in. You want your smoker to be full of tightly packed smoker fuel. That way, it keeps producing cool smoke the whole time you’re checking your apiary.
Remember to pump the bellows every once in a while, and you’re set.
Beekeeping is a fun hobby with sweet rewards. Blain’s Farm & Fleet has all the beekeeping supplies you need, from beekeeping tools to hives to protective clothing.
For more tips on beekeeping supplies and tending to your bees, visit our Beekeeping Blog.
