How Does A Bee Smoker Work?

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In the days of our ancestors, people would burn a piece of elephant dung (Africa/India/Asia) or some horse dung and branches in order to make smoke. 

A bee smoker works by burning beekeeping smoker fuel to make a thick grey smoke that is not very hot. The smoke can be blown into the hive, and around the hive. 

How Does A Bee Smoker Work?

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hey can use honey as a backup when energy source when it is too cold to collect nectar, or they can use it during dry periods when there is no nectar. 

The Hive

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If a bee needs to defend the hive and sting something it will die. 

Defense

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Bees communicate important messages with pheromones. These are chemicals that other bees smell and then react to.

Communication

When bees smell smoke, they instinctively go and fill their honey stomachs with nectar or honey. 

Using Smoke To Calm Bees

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Then you drop the lid and you have nice white smoke capable of calming the craziest of killer bees.

Beekeeping  Smoker Fuel

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ADVICE

It is very important not to use any beekeeping smoker fuel which has plastics or chemical waxes in it. I once saw a guy who used firefighters to start his smoker, and these things had parrafin in them.

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