What calms bees down?

What calms bees down includes smoke, gentle handling, and reducing threats that make them defensive, as bees are generally docile when foraging but become defensive when hive is threatened. Beekeepers use smoke to calm bees, as smoke masks alarm pheromones that bees release when threatened that attract other bees to defend, and smoke causes bees to become engorged with honey thinking they may need to abandon hive due to fire, making them less likely to sting, and smoke disrupts communication. Gentle, slow movements calm bees, as sudden movements and swatting provoke defensive behavior, so moving slowly near bees and avoiding flailing reduces stings. Calm bees by avoiding strong floral perfumes, dark clothing, and vibrations from lawn mowers near hives. Providing water source away from hive can reduce bees seeking water near humans. At night, bees are less active and calmer, as they are in hive and in sleep like state, so working hives at night or early morning when cooler is calmer. Planting bee friendly flowers away from high traffic areas can divert bees. If bees are indoors, turning off lights and opening window allows them to fly toward light outside. For immediate calming after disturbance, leaving area allows bees to calm down, as alarm pheromones dissipate. So smoke is most effective beekeeper method, along with gentle handling, slow movements, and reducing attractants and threats that cause defensiveness.