Have you ever seen a beekeeper puffing white smoke into a honey be hive before an inspection? That device, known simply as a smoker, is the most essential tool in a beekeeper’s toolkit. While it may look rudimentary, the smoke is far more than a parlor trick—it’s a crucial element of colony communication and defense that ensures the safety of both the honey bees and the beekeeper. For centuries, beekeepers have relied on smoke to keep honey bee colonies calm, but it wasn’t until 1873 that Moses Quinby, often called the father of American beekeeping, invented the modern smoker. Understanding why this practice works is key to successful hive management.

The Science behind Smoke
The most important function of the smoke is to effectively mask the honey bees’ alarm pheromones.

• The Alarm Signal: When a colony senses a disturbance, guard honey bees release a chemical signal, or alarm pheromone, called isopentyl acetate (also known as isoamyl acetate) from a gland near their stingers. This pheromone alerts other worker honey bees to mobilize and prepare to attack the intruder. The smell of this pheromone is sometimes described as similar to bananas.
• Disrupting Communication: By puffing cool, thick smoke into the hive, the beekeeper essentially disrupts the honey bees’ sense of smell, making it impossible for them to communicate the alarm signal to the rest of the colony. This is comparable to trying to talk over loud music—the message simply doesn’t get through. This mild disruption allows the beekeeper to proceed with the inspection safely.

Recent research even suggests that smoke reduces the likelihood of honey bees releasing a venom droplet—which is thought to amplify the alarm pheromone—even when the honey bees are strongly provoked. This means smoke directly reduces the colony’s defenses and the chance of a sting.

The Evolutionary Response to Smoke
The second major effect of the smoke from a beekeeper’s smoker taps into the honey bees’ evolutionary instinct—the fear of fire.

When honey bees smell smoke, they instinctively believe their hive may be on fire. Their natural response is to prepare to abandon the hive and search for a new home. To do this, they gorge themselves on honey, thinking they’ll need the stored energy for a long journey.

• Abdomen Engorgement: With an abdomen engorged with honey, it’s physically difficult for a honey bee to bend her body to sting effectively. This secondary effect further calms the colony and protects the beekeeper.
• Proper Smoker Fuel and Usage: The smoker is a simple device—consisting of a bellows, a fire chamber and a nozzle—that allows the user to restrict oxygen flow, keeping the fuel burning slowly and coolly. Proper fuel is essential to ensure the smoke is effective and harmless.
• Safe Fuels: Smoker fuel should be natural and burn slowly. Good materials include burlap, pine needles, wood pellets, twigs or cardboard.
• Avoid Irritants: You must never use synthetic materials or chemically treated paper (like bleached paper), as strong chemical smells can irritate or harm the honey bees. If the smoke smells acrid, change the fuel immediately.
• The Goal Is Cool Smoke: The smoke must be cool to the touch. It’s a good practice to puff smoke into the air and move your arm through it before approaching the honey bee hive to confirm it’s not too hot. Hot smoke can harm the honey bees, and the goal of any inspection is always to maintain the health of the colony. Caution: Avoid touching the smoker itself and do not puff smoke too close to your skin. The smoke can be extremely hot, especially right after the fuel is ignited.

By mastering the use of the smoker—from packing enough fuel for the entire inspection to using just a few, gentle puffs to signal arrival—the beekeeper can ensure that the best experience is created for both themselves and their hardworking honey bees. The right technique turns a potentially chaotic honey bee hive inspection into a serene, productive event, proving that a little smoke truly makes a big difference.

This article was written based on safety guidelines from Nate’s Hives apiary teams and recommendations made by the American Beekeeping Federation. This article is for entertainment only and should not be attempted by anyone outside of Nate’s Hives employees.