Beekeepers have long relied on smoke as a tool when interacting with their bee colonies. It involves using a device called a smoker to puff cool, white smoke into a beehive. The smoke helps manage bee behavior, creating safer conditions for both the insects and the beekeeper. This technique facilitates various beekeeping tasks.
The Bee’s Response to Smoke
Smoke influences bees through two behavioral mechanisms. Smoke interferes with the bees’ ability to detect and transmit alarm pheromones. When bees perceive a threat, they release chemical signals to alert other colony members to defensive action. Smoke masks these signals, disrupting communication within the hive and preventing a coordinated aggressive response, leading to a calmer colony.
Another mechanism involves an instinctual feeding response triggered by the presence of smoke. Bees interpret smoke as a sign of a potential forest fire, prompting them to engorge themselves with honey. This behavior is a survival strategy, as a bee full of honey would have energy reserves if forced to abandon the hive and establish a new home. When a bee’s abdomen is distended with honey, it becomes less agile and finds it difficult to bend to sting, further reducing defensive actions.
Practical Applications for Beekeepers
Beekeepers use smoke to manage their colonies. By subduing the bees’ defensive instincts, smoke allows for safer hive inspections and honey harvesting. A calmer colony reduces the likelihood of stings for the beekeeper. This enables beekeepers to perform tasks with minimal disruption to the colony’s routine.
The smoke comes from natural, slow-burning materials. Common fuels include burlap, pine needles, wood shavings, and untreated cotton fibers. Cool, white smoke is important, as hot smoke or smoke from synthetic materials can be detrimental to the bees. The goal is to produce a gentle, consistent smoke that pacifies the bees without causing harm.
Safety and Impact on Bees
When used correctly, smoke is generally considered safe for honey bees and does not cause long-term harm. Beekeepers aim for cool, minimal smoke, which avoids overheating the bees or damaging their delicate wings. Excessive or improperly applied smoke can negatively affect bees, but responsible beekeeping practices emphasize moderation. Bees typically regain their sensitivity to pheromones within 10 to 20 minutes after the smoke dissipates.
Smoke also poses minimal risk to the quality of honey when used appropriately. While honeycomb cappings are semi-permeable and can absorb airborne vapors, occasional and controlled smoke exposure does not significantly alter honey flavor. Beekeepers are careful to direct smoke away from exposed honey and avoid oversaturating the hive, especially during honey extraction. The small amounts of natural smoke produced have a negligible environmental impact.