Let’s not forget the classic: smoke. Beekeepers have used smoke for thousands of years to calm hives. But “calm” is a generous word—it actually overloads their senses so they can’t detect the alarm pheromones released by guard bees. It’s not that they hate the smell; it’s that they panic and start eating honey to prepare for a “fire escape.”
So, if you’re camping, keep your campfire a safe distance from your tent. A smoky marshmallow is delicious to you, but to a bee, it’s a reason to relocate to the next county. And no, a citronella candle isn’t quite the same—bees are ambivalent about that one, so don’t rely on it.
