Beekeepers use smoke to keep bees

calm during hive inspections. When bees sense danger, they release an alarm pheromone called isopentyl acetate from a gland near their stingers. ... Smoking a beehive masks this pheromone, allowing the beekeeper to safely perform a hive inspection.

Does smoke make bees go away?

Smoke is probably the most effective way of getting honey bees away from your home and keeping them away. Honey bees are very sensitive to smell and when they smell smoke they think it's a forest fire, causing them to leave and most likely never come back. ... Don't stick around to watch the bees get smoked out.

Do all beekeepers use smoke?

But some modern beekeepers have decided that they should work bees without smoke. ... A tiny amount of smoke, judiciously applied to the entrance before the hive is opened and along the top bars once or twice during your bee work is all it usually takes to calm the bees and allow a few minutes of personal bee immersion.