Smoke Use

Paul Kelly, research and apiary manager, discusses how to properly use a bee smoker.

For more videos, check out the University of Guelph's Honey Bee Research Centre youtube channel at this link:

For more work by David Borish Visuals, check out:

We would like to thank Québec beekeepers Marie-Hélène Majeau and Susan Kennerknecht for translating our videos into French. We are very grateful for their help with this project. (To view translation, click on settings then subtitles)

Nous aimerions remercier deux apicultrices du Québec, Marie-Hélène Majeau et Susan Kennerknecht pour la traduction de ces vidéos en français. Nous leur en sommes très reconnaissants. (Pour accéder à la traduction française, sélectionnez paramètres et ensuite sous-titres)

[larrypeterson]

I really appreciate you folks producing these videos. I am an old man with very poor hearing. I can understand every word you folks are saying. Excellent sound quality!! The material presented is "pure gold." I also appreciate the fine detail and the way it is presented in a clear and logical way.

Thanx, LP

[nicolasthorpe]

I am a novice in the UK and recently came across these videos. I just wish I had found them earlier! They have been very useful and I really appreciate Paul's relaxed but thorough approach. I went out and bought some woodchips today and they work like a dream - thank you.

[andonymelathopoulos]

Great series Paul and all the folks at Guelph. Definitely recommending this series for beekeepers in Oregon.

[ianhungry]

Phil from Australia here. Thanks for your great advice.

[michaelhumphries]

Thanks for the educational videos. You explain everything in great detail. I, ll try these methods that you demonstrate when i, m in my bee yard.Thanks Jeff

[TwiceSmittenOnceShy]

Wow, what a fairly involved process! Who would have known? I literally just wondered what this was like while I'm here working on a final project for one of my summer classes. Also, the line: "Once you blow smoke on the guard bees, they go in and eat honey" cracked me up for some reason!

[lintonmacnamara]

Interesting and Informative. Down here in Aus where things can be very dry we have instances of smokers causing bush fires. We use a range of fuels from hessian, eucalyptus bark cardboard etc. one handy gadget I use is a long neck kitchen gas lighter which reaches to the bottom of the smoker when tilted. Can light the shavings at the bottom of the smoker.

[knighttimegaming]

I always wondered what the smoke was used for. Well explained.

[kellybohling]

Thank you for this video! Very to-the-point and informative, making it great to watch as a refresher!

[andrewmccarthy]

I need to remove a wasp nest. Will smoke work equally with the more aggressive species as with honey bees?

[ricksiegfried]

Wow Great idea!
Thank you so much!!!😀

[raterus]

If you're like me, and have no idea what "newspaper" is or how to get it, you can get a box of packing paper wherever you'd buy packing supplies.

[nerdy_.rockstar]

I'm getting bees tomorrow i'm so excited.

[leahjones]

Practicing lighting mine before spring and the arrival of my first bees. I seem to get flames shooting out the air hole at the lower bottom of the canister adjacent to the bellows. I’m starting with newspaper as the video and adding wood smoker chips. What do you think I’m doing wrong?

[davidshubin]

Hi from California, you said that the guard bees go in and gorge themselves. Why do they do this? An emergency response in case they need to evaluate? And thanks for all the wonderful videos.
David

[Lunchbox_com]

What brand smoker is that? Dadant smoker with a Mann Lake Pro-Bellows?

[gabrielboudreau]

I have a friend in China that her family produces honey. I recently noticed that any honey products are at an all time low. She pretty rely on this for her family income. I suggested on making bee wax candles. I was wondering if you guys have any tips or such that I can pass along? Thanks

[DawnieGTheBeekeeper]

Great video, I can't keep my smoker going. Also...I love the tool belt, where did you get it

[nenzianwari]

Hey, great informative video. A question comes to mind though....WILL it repel the missus?

[summondarkness]

Has anyone tried to smoke em with marijuana see what would happen? Asking for a friend.