The real reason for smoking the bees is that it calms the beekeeper and
makes him less afraid! Adrenalin coursing through the beekeeper's
veins produces pheromones that alert the bees to the presence of a
stressed mammal that is about to attack them if they don't put it off.
Instead of wielding a smoker, try singing to the bees as you work. It
calms you down so you don't give off the pheromones and it doesn't even
matter if you're out of tune or can't remember all the words as the
bees can't hear you anyway.
Chris
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