Use of BeeSmoke smoker pellets during the active beekeeping season

Ivana Dukarić Malčić; Damir Pavliček; Maja Đokić; Ivana Tlak Gajger

doi:10.46419/cvj.57.2.5

Use of BeeSmoke smoker pellets during the active beekeeping season

Authors

I. Dukarić Veterinary Center Studenci, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7022-6253
D. Pavliček Veterinary Department Križevci, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 48260 Križevci, Croatia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1772-6257
M. Đokić Laboratory for Residue Control, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3071-6208
I. Tlak Gajger Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4480-3599

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46419/cvj.57.2.5

Keywords:

honeybee colonies, smoker pellet fuels, good beekeeping practices, Varroa destructor

Abstract

An innovative and sustainable approach to beekeeping involves using commercially available pellet fuels, such as BeeSmoke Forte or BeeSmoke, for daily work in the apiary. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of these pellets, including their impacts on the strength and behaviour of honeybee colonies, their ability to reduce the number of parasitic mites Varroa destructor, and the presence of insecticide/acaricide residues in honey. During the study, the smoke produced by burning BeeSmoke Forte, BeeSmoke, and pure wood pellets in a smoker caused no changes to honeybee behaviour and resulted in no fatalities. BeeSmoke Forte and BeeSmoke pellets increased the number of fallen parasitic mites V. destructor. Furthermore, honey collected before and after the use of pellets and analysed for the presence of insecticide/acaricide residues gave negative results, indicating that the honey extracted during the active beekeeping season when these fuels were used is safe for bees and for human consumption.

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Published

2026-03-15

Issue

Vol. 57 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Articles

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