Is it safe to use liquid smoke to soothe honey bees?
Instead of using a bee smoker, many beekeepers opt to use liquid smoke. To begin with, what exactly is liquid smoke, and can one safely spray it upon a honey bee colony?
Liquid smoke—what is it?
The process of burning wood chips and collecting the resulting smoke is known as liquid smoke. The smoke is passed through a condenser, which removes the airborne particles of burnt wood, by the makers. Particles of smoke cling to water droplets when the smoky air cools in the condenser. It functions similarly to an air conditioner in that it gathers the droplets and then expels the hot air outside.
Any dish that calls for a smokier flavour profile can traditionally employ liquid smoke, including marinades, BBQ sauce, cheese, bacon, baked beans, roasted almonds, and more. Woods like hickory, mesquite, applewood, and pecan, when burned, impart distinct flavours. Liquid smoke is a common condiment found in grocery stores, often next to ketchup and barbecue sauce.
Molasses, vinegar, and caramel colour are some of the additional substances that liquid smoke offered in grocery shops could have. Everyone I know who keeps bees uses liquid smoke from the grocery store, even though some bee supply businesses sell their own brand. A large amount of smoke, when made by a beekeeper, goes a long way and may be stored for months.
What effect does liquid smoke have on honey bees?
To prepare a spray bottle of water for beekeeping, beekeepers dilute liquid smoke. This spray mimics the soothing effects of genuine smoke when used in place of it on bees. The smell triggers a survival response in honey bees, who stock up on honey to weather the storm.
Although the exact amount of liquid smoke to add to the water is subjective, a common recommendation among beekeepers is to begin with two teaspoons or one ounce, for every sixteen ounces of water. Finding the correct concentration may take some trial and error because different manufacturers of smoke, sprayers, and beekeepers have different recommendations.
You mist the water over the bees under the hive's cover rather than blowing smoke. There are at least two ways in which this reduces their aggressiveness. The bees smell it as a warning that danger is close by, much like conventional smoke. They will also be less inclined to fly at you if their wings are wet, as this makes flying more difficult.
A stinky, nasty, and wonderful thing
Not all beekeepers are fans of this product. In my opinion, liquid smoke is best used in particular contexts, but it should never be considered a substitute for smoking.
The most frequent gripe is the lingering odour, which is particularly problematic when sprayed inside the hive. Some are against the practice because it causes the bees unnecessary stress as the smell stays in the hive for too long.
Honey and beeswax can take on a disagreeable flavour from the smoke, which is another gripe. Even a casual smoker may impart an undesirable forest fire flavour to comb honey, which is something no beekeeper should ever do during a nectar flow, as I can personally confirm from my experience.
The best ways to utilise bottled smoke
Nevertheless, bottled smoke is effective in some situations. Some people who raise bees use it to spray on robber bees, for instance. If a hive is under siege by robbers, spray the area above, beside, and under the hive to clear it. Robbers are scared away by the combination of the stench and the wet wings.
Liquid smoke is preferable to starting a smoker in areas prone to brush fires. You shouldn't be concerned about open honey cells being contaminated by the smell of smoke since, often, by the time fire season starts, the big nectar flows have already passed.
Some beekeepers choose to employ liquid smoke instead of the more obvious plume because they want to keep their pastime a secret from their neighbours.
A few drops of strong liquid smoke applied to the hands, arms, or any area prone to bee stings is another common practice among beekeepers. The stings have been successfully warded off, apparently, by its effective repellent properties.
Which experiences do you have?
If you have any positive, negative, or neutral experiences with liquid smoke, please share. It may be a resource that is underutilised, particularly in situations when it may not be wise to play with fire. What is your use of it? How do you feel?
