> the experienced beekeeper could see it was prudent in the circumstances
and had the necessary tool at the ready.

I'm in complete agreement.  I typically go into over 100 hives a day, and
despite the fact that I would need to search if I wanted to find a veil or
gloves, I always get my smoker going first.

The judicious use of smoke helps to prevent the first release of alarm
pheromone, which would not only change the behavior of that hive, but can
prevent you from continuing to work the rest of the yard without protection.

Smoke is also extremely useful as a repellent, to move the bees off the top
bars so that you can grab a frame with your fingers, or to move the bees to
safety before you put a super or the cover back on.

I use little smoke overall, but every colony gets at least a suggestion.
It makes beekeeping so much more pleasant, for both myself, and the bees.

--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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