1.0 MANIPULATION OF A HONEYBEE COLONY
The candidate will be aware of:
1.2 the reactions of honeybees to smoke;
NOTES
Smoke disorientates bees by interfering with their pheromone (smell) method of communication. This can mean that the message that the hive is “under attack” may be slow to get around.
The bees reaction to smoke is to gorge themselves with honey. Being full of honey causes them to be calmer and less likely to sting. One theory for this behaviour is that the bees associate smoke with a fire that may cause them to have to abandon their home – in which case they want to be provisioned for flight to a new home.
The beekeeper can make use of the bees reaction by using smoke to push bees away from areas where they could be injured, or be “in the way” of an inspection.
Too much smoke is counter productive and may cause the bees to panic and become aggressive rather than calm.
The beekeeper should try and use as little smoke as is needed to keep the bees under control.