L to the O to the L! You so rock. I love the little coffee pot. Everyone, please be sure to check out the link.

Even this morning I looked at the video again and I chuckled. I keep hearing one of guys in front running into the other bees, “Where’s that file, I need that file!”

kitt

Smoking bees triggers somewhat of an alarm to bees. The smoke mimics the smoke of a forest fire. Their intinct tells them that when they smell smoke, to not worry about fighting, go inside and eat some food, you may have to evacuate in a hurry. We did a video of this when some bees are on top of frames, and when you smoke them, they go right down to the bottom. When I took this video, it was on the inner cover and they’re running around trying to find a way to go down into the hive.

So when beekeepers smoke the bees, we’re getting them to go into the hive and eat and not be so worried about attacking stinging. It should be noted that not all bees fall for this and you can still get stung. Our instructors at the bee class said that they would much prefer to go to a hive with a smoker and now bee suit than go to a hive with only a bee suit and no smoker.

And here they are just moments before the camera started rolling. Because I think you need to know just how much time some (read: one) of your readers have on their hands, Sharon.

Why do bees react to smoke the way they do? Is there something in nature that makes them behave the same way?