If you’ve seen beekeepers at work in the movies, you might have seen them use smokers to calm the bees or make them sleepy. That isn’t exactly what’s happening, although smoke does often play a role in dealing with bees in their hives. Here’s the truth of why smoke is used in beehive removal.
- The smoke keeps the bees from communicating. Smoke is used to mask the bees’ alarm pheromones. Bees use these pheromones to communicate with one another, and they can prompt aggressive behaviors like stinging as the bees protect their hive. By covering up the pheromones, beekeepers reduce the risk of being stung.
- The smoke causes the bees to consume lots of honey. Smoke doesn’t “calm” the bees because they like it; it actually makes them think their hive is on fire. They anticipate having to leave and find a new home, and to prepare for the journey, they gorge themselves on honey. Their full abdomen then makes it more difficult for them to sting and slows them down.
- The smoke is cool enough to avoid harming the bees. When using smoke for beehive removal, it shouldn’t be hot. If it’s cool to the touch, then it won’t hurt the bees, which is key if a beehive is being removed for relocation as a humane solution.
Smoke is exceptionally useful for subduing bees during beehive removal, ensuring a safer, faster process. If you need beehive removal in Clearwater, Florida, or surrounding areas, contact us today.