Learning how to use a smoker for bees involves more than directing a few puffs into the hive. The fuel must stay lit, the smoke should remain cool and clean, and the bees need time to respond before the hive is opened.
A traditional bellows smoker works well, but lighting it and keeping it burning often frustrate beginners. A newer flameless fog machine removes the need for an open flame, making it easier to use around a beehive.
This guide explains how to operate both a traditional and flameless bee smoker, from preparation and smoke application to shutdown and cleaning.
How to use a traditional smoker for bees
Learning how to light and use a bee smoker starts with the right fuel and a strong fire at the bottom. The goal is to produce cool, visible white smoke that lasts throughout the hive inspection.
Step 1: Choose safe bee smoker fuel.
Many beginners are unsure what to put in a bee smoker. Choose a dry, untreated material that lights easily, burns slowly, and does not release harmful chemicals.
Suitable options include:
- Pine needles or pine straw
- Untreated burlap
- Dry wood shavings
- Dry bark and leaves
- Plain corrugated cardboard
- All-cotton fabric scraps
- Untreated sisal twine
- Commercial bee smoker pellets
Avoid sawdust because it can pack too tightly and block the airflow. Do not use plastic, rubber, glossy paper, chemically treated wood, or plants exposed to pesticides or herbicides.
Some natural plants can also produce toxic smoke. Never burn poison ivy or another plant that you cannot identify.
When learning how to use bee smoker fuel, combine two types. Start with a loose material that catches fire easily, such as pine straw or plain cardboard, and place a denser, slower-burning fuel on top.
Keep the fuel completely dry. A covered plastic bucket can protect pine straw, cardboard, and other materials from rain and moisture.
Step 2: Light the bee smoker.
Before lighting it, empty any cold ash left from the previous use. Check that the raised grate at the bottom is in place and that the space beneath it is clear.
This gap allows air from the bellows to enter beneath the fire. If it is blocked by ash, the smoker may be difficult to light and keep burning.
Follow these steps:
(1) Place a small amount of loose fuel at the bottom of the smoker.
(2) Light the material with a long lighter, match, or propane torch.
(3) Gently squeeze the bellows until a strong flame develops.
(4) Add another small layer of fuel without packing it down tightly.
(5) Squeeze the bellows several more times and wait for the new layer to catch.
(6) Repeat the process, adding and lightly pressing down each layer.
(7) Once the fire is well established, fill the smoker with slower-burning fuel.
(8) Close the lid and continue using the bellows until cool white smoke comes from the nozzle.
Do not fill and tightly pack the smoker immediately after lighting it. This can cut off the airflow and extinguish the small flame.
However, once a strong bed of embers has formed, the smoker should contain enough fuel to last through the inspection. Too little fuel may burn quickly or go out before the work is complete.
Step 3: Test the smoke before approaching the beehive.
A properly lit bee smoker should release a steady cloud of white or light-colored smoke.
Release a small puff toward the back of your hand from a safe distance. The smoke should feel cool or mildly warm, not hot.
If the smoke is too hot, add more fuel to reduce the fire’s intensity. Some beekeepers also place a small amount of green or slightly damp grass on top of the fuel to cool the smoke before it leaves the nozzle.
Do not use the smoker if flames or sparks are coming out. Hot smoke can injure the bees and damage their wings.
Step 4: Apply smoke at the hive entrance and under the cover.
Start with two or three gentle puffs at the hive entrance. Wait for about one minute so the bees have time to detect and respond to the smoke.
Next, slightly lift the outer cover and direct another two or three puffs into the opening. Put the cover back down and wait another minute before opening the hive completely.
Once the hive is open, direct a small amount of smoke across the top bars or between the frames when necessary. The smoke can also move bees away from the edge of a box before it is closed, reducing the risk of crushing them.
Use gentle puffs with soft-to-medium pressure. Avoid pushing the nozzle deep inside the hive or filling the entire box with dense smoke.
Watch the bees instead of following a fixed number of puffs. Add a little more smoke if they begin flying toward you, raising their abdomens, or becoming increasingly defensive.
If the bees remain highly defensive after repeated applications, end the inspection and try again under better conditions. Continually adding more smoke may create unnecessary stress without making the hive easier to handle.
Step 5: Keep the bee smoker lit during the inspection.
To keep a bee smoker going, give the bellows a few gentle squeezes every few minutes, even when you do not need more smoke.
If the output becomes weak:
- Open the lid carefully.
- Check whether enough fuel remains.
- Lightly press the fuel down to improve contact with the embers.
- Add more dry fuel if necessary.
- Work the bellows until steady white smoke returns.
Do not wait until the smoker has completely gone out. Relighting it while working with an open hive is more difficult and may leave the bees without smoke when it is needed.
If you need to pause but want to preserve the fire, loosely plug the nozzle with twisted green grass to reduce the airflow. Remove the plug and work the bellows before using the smoker again.
Step 6: Put out the bee smoker safely.
One method is to place the entire smoker inside a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Reducing the oxygen supply allows the remaining fire to go out slowly.
Alternatively, empty the fuel into a metal container and soak it thoroughly with water. Check the material carefully to ensure that no hot embers remain.
Never dump hot fuel onto dry soil, grass, or leaves. Do not transport a smoldering smoker inside a vehicle, even if very little smoke is visible.
If you want to reuse the remaining fuel, press it down firmly and allow it to extinguish inside a covered metal container. Leave the smoker lid slightly loose while it cools so that sticky buildup does not seal it shut.
Step 7: Clean and store the bee smoker.
How to clean a bee smoker depends on the amount of ash and creosote inside it. Light cleaning should be completed regularly, while heavy buildup only needs to be removed when it begins restricting the airflow or making the lid difficult to open.
Wait until the smoker is completely cold. Then:
(1) Empty the ash and remaining fuel.
(2) Make sure the removable bottom grate is not discarded with the ash.
(3) Clear the air space and holes beneath the grate.
(4) Brush loose residue from the inside of the smoker.
(5) Scrape sticky buildup from the lid and its edges with a hive tool.
(6) Remove heavy creosote from the nozzle when it begins restricting smoke.
(7) Check the bellows for cracks, loose screws, and air leaks.
Avoid cleaning products that leave a strong chemical odor or flammable residue. Once clean, store the smoker and fuel in a dry, ventilated location until the next hive inspection.
How to use a flameless smoker for bees
A flameless bee smoker produces fog by heating compatible liquid instead of burning solid fuel. This removes the need to light a fire, squeeze a bellows, or keep fuel burning during the hive inspection.
Watch the video and follow the step-by-step guide below to learn how to use the COLBOR CF5 bee smoker.
Video tutorial
Step-by-step guide to using the COLBOR CF5 bee smoker
1. Add fog liquid: Fill the tank more than halfway before first use and wait five minutes for the wick to absorb the liquid. Refill it when the level falls below one-third.
2. Attach an accessory: Use the flexible hose for precise fog direction or the magnetic fan to spread the fog over a wider area.
3. Start the fog: Power on the bee smoker. Press and hold the output button for manual fog, or double-click it for continuous output.
4. Adjust the output: Select from five fog-density levels and five output-speed levels. You can also set the output duration, interval, cycle count, and fan speed.
5. Apply the fog: Test the lowest setting first. Release a small amount at the hive entrance, wait for the bees to respond, and apply more under the raised cover only when needed.
6. Power off: Stop the output, turn off the device, and let it cool before cleaning or storing it.
Safety tips for using a bee smoker
Both traditional and flameless bee smokers can become hot and produce concentrated smoke or fog. Follow these tips to protect yourself, the bees, and the surrounding area:
💡Wear a beekeeping suit, veil, and gloves before approaching the hive.
💡Check local fire restrictions before lighting a traditional smoker.
💡Keep water and a covered metal container nearby for hot fuel and ashes.
💡Burn only dry, untreated, and bee-safe smoker fuel.
💡Test the smoke first and never direct flames, sparks, or hot smoke toward bees.
💡Start with a few gentle puffs and wait for the bees to respond before adding more.
💡Place the smoker upright on a stable, fire-resistant surface away from dry grass.
💡Use only manufacturer-recommended fog liquid in a flameless bee smoker.
💡Never operate a flameless device with an empty or nearly empty tank.
💡Keep hands away from the hot outlet, even when no open flame is present.
💡Fully extinguish or cool the smoker before cleaning, storing, or transporting it.
FAQ
Here are quick answers to common questions about how to use a smoker for bees.
Which bee smoker should a beginner use?
A flameless bee smoker is easier for beginners because it requires no fire lighting, fuel management, or repeated squeezing of a bellows. The COLBOR fog machines let users power on the device and control the fog density, speed, and release cycle.
How to use a bee smoker with pellets?
Start a small fire at the bottom with plain cardboard, pine straw, or another easy-lighting material. Once strong embers form, gradually add the pellets while squeezing the bellows.
Do not fill the smoker with pellets before establishing the fire. Wait until it produces steady, cool white smoke before approaching the hive.
How to keep a bee smoker going?
Use completely dry fuel and build a strong bed of embers before filling the smoker. Add enough slow-burning fuel and squeeze the bellows every few minutes to maintain airflow.
Add more fuel before the smoke becomes weak. If it begins to fade, lightly press down the fuel and work the bellows until steady smoke returns.
How much smoke should you use on bees?
Begin with two or three gentle puffs at the hive entrance. Wait about one minute, then apply another two or three puffs under the slightly raised cover.
Add more only if the bees become defensive again. Avoid filling the entire hive with dense smoke.
Where should you smoke a beehive?
Apply smoke at the hive entrance first, then under the outer cover before opening it completely. During the inspection, direct small amounts across the top bars or between frames when needed.
You can also use smoke to move bees away from box edges before closing the hive. Do not continuously direct hot or dense smoke at individual bees or exposed brood.