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How to Smoke Bees

For centuries people have smoked bees in a variety of ways in order to calm them prior to handling. Though scientists have several theories as to why smoking bees works, no one really knows for sure. What is known is that if the beekeeper does the smoking properly, he can open up the hive and work without being attacked by the bees inside.

Instructions

- 1
  Invest in a simple stainless-steel smoker available at many garden stores or online. Your smoker will become one of the most valuable pieces of equipment you own if you're serious about beekeeping.
- 2
  Choose a fuel to burn in the smoker. You can purchase commercial wood pellets, or you can use pine needles with some green grass placed on top. The grass helps produce a cool white smoke, which you may find is more pleasant than the smoke produced by wood pellets.
- 3
  Light the fuel and allow it to burn for a couple of minutes. As the smoke begins to die down, use the bellow on the side of the smoker to give it a puff or two of air and the fuel will start burning again.
- 4
  Approach the hives from the sides rather than the front to avoid provoking the bees. Slowly waive the smoker back and fourth around all doors and openings.
- 5
  Pry the top off the hive, slowly continuing to smoke the bees inside. Lift one corner and apply smoke. Next, move to each of the other corners and repeat. Once you have the lid off, wave the smoker across the hive several times, and you should be ready to start your work.

Insects & Science