Do you need to use a smoker with a Top Bar Hive?

Q. Do you need to use a smoker with a Top Bar Hive?

A. We don't use smokers; we don't feel it's healthy for the bees. The smoke is basically making the bees feel that there is a fire in the forest and they have to gorge on honey and get ready to run. This is why the bees seem calmer, only because they are full of honey. When working with the bees a lot depends on your timing (the time of season and time of day that you choose to work with them) and the personality of the bees. If you listen to the bees they should tell you when it's ok.

When working with the bees during a nice warm day, many of the bees will be out foraging so you have less bees to "interrupt" when going into the hive. You do want to be careful it is not too hot of a day like 90 degrees as the comb will be soft and can be more susceptible to falling off the top bar. The idea is to be clam, move slow and with care.

But if just getting started with bees, it is not the end of the world to lightly use smoke and it might make you feel more comfortable.