Product Review

Hoontâ„¢ Commercial Grade Bee Smoker for Beekeeping
Bee smokers are an amazing beekeeping equipment that helps calm the bees and protect the beekeeper from stings while performing bee hive maintenance and work. Have bees in your yard? Use this smoker to inspect the bee hive from up close, without the need to be afraid of bee stings.

The Hoontâ„¢ Bee Smoker is made with heavy duty stainless steel. The superior bellow makes smoking up super-easy and fast. Features also a metal hook so that the device can be hung on the hive box edge, or next to it, while doing beekeeping work or when not in actual use.

Why and how are bee smokers effective?
Bee researchers believe smoke does two things which calm honey bees. First, the smoke tends to mask the alarm pheromones that are released by the guard bees when they believe their hive is threatened. Without the ability to detect the pheromone, the rest of the bees don't know anything is amiss.

Secondly, smoke seems to be a warning to the bees that they may have to evacuate their home. Before bees evacuate, they fill their stomachs with honey so they will have the energy necessary to start building a new place to live. Once their stomachs are full they are less able to curve their abdomens into the stinging position.

How to use the bee smoker:
Light a medium-size piece of newspaper with a match or lighter, push it into the smoker using your hive tool, then add a little fuel, pumping the bellows vigorously until you have a good, hot fire. Add a little more fuel and pump until it is burning well. Now fill the smoker with more fuel (pine needles, wood chips or scraps, sawdust, etc.) Pump the bellows until you get plenty of thick, white smoke, then stop.

Wait a couple minutes after smoking a hive before opening it. You want to give the bees some time to gorge on honey.