How Does Smoke Affect Honey Bees? - Science ABC

Home » Why Do Beekeepers Use Smokers » How Does Smoke Affect Honey Bees? - Science ABC

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Smoking is a safe way to calm the bees so that the beekeeper can inspect the hive. The smoke masks bees’ sense of smell and prevents the transfer of intruder alarm signals. Smoke fools bees into thinking there is a forest fire, so they essentially get drunk on honey, which calms them.

Who doesn’t love the warm, sweet sundrops stored in jars? Honey is one of the only healthy foods that tastes heavenly.

But have you ever wondered how beekeepers steal this ambrosia from the stingy (pun intended) clutches of honey bees?

To protect their honey, a valuable treasure, a small class of worker bees guards the bee colony like bouncers. Approach the hive, and the guard bees will sound the alarm, recruiting bees who hum and sting furiously at you to defend their home, even if it means sacrificing their lives.

Yes, many species die after they sting you.

Why Does A Bee-Sting Hurt So Much And What Can You Do About It
Bee attack!

This is why beekeepers use a special technique to protect themselves from the bees as they tend to the hive or harvest honey: they pass the smoke through the hive.

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