In message <[log in to unmask]>, Bruce Laidlaw <[log in to unmask]> writes >At 12:58 PM 25/10/96 +0100, Dave Black wrote: >the use of smoke is to confuse >>or mask pheromone communcation between bees > >So is my notion that the bees think: "Smoke! Smoke! It's a bush fire! Save >the honey!" and then, being comfortably fat with the honey, don't feel like >stinging, is that too fanciful to be true? No, but I think its only part of the story. Thus you smoke the bit the b**ggers have just sting and avoid crushing bees and making the place smell like a venom infused killing field. I'm told the use of smoke is essential by africans working with (surprise, surprise) african bees. Maybe their bees read different books ! -- Dave Black Blacks Bee Gardens, Guildford, GU1 4RN. UK.