Many of us think pine needles are the NUMBER ONE smoker fuel of all fuels. It is very easy to light, stays lit, and makes dense COOL, white smoke.
ever work bees without a lit smoker.
A lit smoker does not mean you have to use smoke, but it does mean that you have smoke instantly IF smoke is needed.
Frankly, I prefer to use little or no smoke when working bees, and too much smoke can make bees very nasty.
Smoking bees is an ART, and can’t be taught by writing about it; but the choice of fuel is important.
JL – In Fiji beekeepers like to use jute potato sacks and dried horse manure.