Jon Christie, owner of Wild Mountain Bees in North Carolina, reviews the recommended tools for bee keeping. We take a look at the smoker, a device that is used to disrupt the communication between bees. This is thought to dull the alarm response among the bee colony and facilitate a bee keeper’s work within the hive. Jon uses dried pine needles in his smoker and makes sure that once the fire is lit at the bottom, the smoke that bellows out is cool to the touch. It’s important not to have the fire too hot as it could injure the bees. A hive tool is helpful in separating the boxes of the hive, especially once they become sealed over time with wax and propolis. Once the hive is opened, this tool is also used to lift frames from the box. Lastly, good protective gear is recommended for a beginning bee keeper. Bee stings release pheromones that warn other bees and can potentially give rise to more stings, so wearing protective gear can greatly improve a beginner’s experience with bees.