• Guard bees give off an alarm pheromone when you open the hive. The smoke masks this pheromone so the bees remain calm while you inspect the hive.

• A smoker consists of a fire chamber, a tight-fitting lid with a spout, a bellows and a heat guard.

• Use a dry fuel source to get a fire started in the fire chamber. Keep a store of dry fuel with your smoker, and have some extra fuel on hand to top up when using the smoker. 

• It is important to use a fuel that does not create hot smoke or toxic fumes, so avoid using anything containing plastic, thick oils, hair, paper or feathers. 

• These are some appropriate fuels for your smoker:
  • Dried pine needles are a popular choice.
  • Clean Hessian is popular with commercial beekeepers as it stays lit for a long time. 
  • Angophoras, Stringybark, Tea tree bark, Cypress pine, wood shavings, dry lawn clippings. Dried out flowers such as roses, sunflowers, daisies, zinnias. 
  • You can also use herbs like rosemary, mint, sage, basil, lavender, oregano, fennel, dill. Some people like to add dried citrus peels.
  • Commercial fuels are also available and can be produced from pulped paper, wood pellets or compressed cotton. 

• Be careful when handling your smoker, hold it by the bellows and avoid touching the fire chamber when lit. If you need to open the lid while it’s in use, use a hive tool or pliers.

• Be careful where you light your smoker, keep away from any potential fire hazards.

• Use your dry fuel to get a fire started in the fire chamber. Use the bellows to get a fire going and make the surfaces of the smoker warm.

• When the fire has gone down to embers in the fire chamber, fill the chamber to halfway with extra fuel, puff the bellows and close the lid.

• Ensure that there are no flames or sparks coming out of the smoker. The smoke should be cool.

• If you do have fire coming out of the nozzle, open the smoker and pack the chamber with extra fuel.

• Keep some water on hand on when using your smoker, and avoid using it in very windy conditions.

• Make sure the fire in your smoker goes out safely when you’re finished using it. You can pour water into it, or keep it in a fireproof container and let it burn out.
  
  

 NB: Be aware of fire regulations in your region. For example, in Australia, some states permit the use of beehive smokers in times of total fire ban when the registered beekeeper has a written permit.