What Is A Bee Smoker?
A Beekeeper’s Friend
What is a bee smoker fuel source ? It depends on location but dry pine needles are a local favorite.
A bee smoker is a valuable tool used by most beekeepers. It is an iconic representation of beekeeping. Contrary to the information from “The Bee Movie”, beekeepers do not smoke bees to cause harm.
Proper use of a bee smoker will calm the honey bees and help save bee lives. An attack by honey bees always results in some bee deaths. Honey bees sting to protect their colony.
Anything that will calm the urge to defend the hive will save bees.
Today, some beekeepers strive to avoid the use of smoke. They feel it is unnecessary. This is an opinion issue and you will need to form your own. If you choose to not smoke your bees, that is fine if it works for you.
However, I fire up my bee smoker for each trip to the bee yard. I have found that it is much better to take a valuable beekeeping tool, like a smoker, with you than to need it and not have it.
I consider a veil, hive tool and smoker to be the big 3 important tools for any beginning beekeeper.
So, the beekeepers smoker is actually a good thing for the colony when used properly. It is a vital part of the beekeeping equipment for most hobbyist.
Smokers and Fuel Options Are Abundant
Wood Pellets Bee Smoker Fuel
Bee-Z-Smoker BZ-422-D with Battery ChargerBee Hive Smoker Stainless Steel with Heat Shield
What is A Bee Smoker’s Primary Function
The science involved may sound complicated but the purpose is straightforward. When guard bees at the front of the hive sense a threat, they release alarm pheromones. This is a call for help that will encourage other bees to come join the fight to protect the hive.
The beekeeper may smell a distinct odor like bananas when the hive is aroused.
When I need to inspect a hive, the bees do not know my intentions. (Wouldn’t it be nice if I could talk to them – ” Um, excuse me girls – I just need to make sure you are healthy and have everything you need. It will only take me a few minutes. Pardon the intrusion).
Alas, the bees see me as a predator and will “sound the alarm” to create a stinging force. This is where the use of a beekeepers smoker becomes important.
Why The Bee Smoker Works
Cave drawings of the early bee smoker versions.
The fact that smoke calms bees has been known for thousands of years. The beekeepers smoker of ancient times was a simple pot with fire.
Today, we understand that this smoke most likely disrupts the pheromone communication of the honey bees. A honey bee smoker masks the alarm scent preventing “the call to battle”.
Some researchers think that the bees fear a forest fire is imminent. When honey bees smell smoke, they go straight to their stores of honey.
The bees fill their stomachs with honey in case they have to evacuate.
Fortunately for the bees, the harmless smoke will quickly dissipate and colony activity will return to normal.
A respectful beekeeper uses smoke in a careful manner. Cool white smoke used sparingly calms the bees. Some beekeepers chose to not use a honey bee smoker. They feel that it is detrimental to the bee colony. However, I think it is a useful tool when used properly.
What Is A Bee Smoker’s Best Fuel Source?
The fuel used inside a honey bee smoker can vary. In this instant, we are using the term fuel to refer to a combustible substance, not a liquid !
Commercial smoker fuel products are available from beekeeping supply stores. Most beekeepers use whatever material they find available in the area. I have talked with many beekeepers using a variety of materials.
Cotton, burlap cloth, wood pellets, pithy wood, dried sumac flower heads, corncobs and other items have been used in bee smokers.
My Favorite Bee Smoker Fuel
Of course, this may depend on where you live. But for me, it is dry pine needles. They are free but have to be collected. This requires thinking ahead as I have to collect them when the ground is dry. A long period of rainy weather can leave one in a pine needle shortage.
It is a good idea to collect a large quantity of pine needles and store them for the rainy season.
Dry pine needles are an excellent source of fuel.
A beautiful Carolina afternoon finds me driving through the forest on my Honda ATV. Yes, I have many other chores that need attention but this one won’t wait.
I arrive at my destination and dismount from my 4-wheeler. The forest is quiet and still except for a few birds in the trees.
The solitude is wonderful but I am on a mission. I need dry pine needles and lots of them for my honey bee smoker.
I keep an old plastic pail with a lid (recycled cat litter bucket) on the front of my ATV.
As I fill the pail with pine needles, I enjoy the warm pine scented air. My smoker fuel is free and renewable. Today the weather is dry and it is a good pine needle foraging day.
Love the bees… have fun
Beekeeper Charlotte
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Sheri Mims says
This is a very interesting article and so well written! I had wondered what kind of fuel was used in a bee smoker.
Beekeeper Charlotte says
Thanks Sheri !
Kevin says
Interesting information for a (hopefully) soon to be new beekeeper. Is there anything, other than obvious things like poison ivy, that should NOT be burned for smoke? Maybe something that agitates the bees?
Thanks
Beekeeper Charlotte says
Hi Kevin. I would not burn today’s burlap (chemicals in it). My 1st choice is dry pine needles. I’ve seen others use: wood pellets, pine cones, straw, dried sumac seed heads, pithy old dry wood pieces etc. The bees dont seem to care alot about the type of smoke. Just be sure the smoker is puffing cool white smoke. If it is dark hot smoke – they will get mad !
Beeman says
Why are smokers so hard to get burning, and only start working well till 1 hour after you are finished????
Beekeeper Charlotte says
That is so true. I hate to admit that I am not the worlds best with my smoker. I have found that for me – the best way to start one is to tear up pieces of cardboard egg carton. Start the fire with several of those – puff until you have flames – add a small handful of dry pine needles – puff a few more times and then pack gently with more pine needles while puffing. I guess they are like the charcoal my folks used at cookouts when I was a kid. It never really got started well until a couple of hours after supper !
Ed says
I came to the first 2 hour class bought a lot of stuff will be at boot camp do they have the wire there to hold the honey in the frames
Beekeeper Charlotte says
Most beekeepers do not use the cross wire anymore. I never have. I’m sure you could order some from a bee supply