Best Bee Brushes

A bee brush is one of those tools you might not think about much — until you're trying to get bees off a frame you need to inspect, or you're harvesting honey and need to clear frames without crushing workers. The right brush makes these tasks quick and gentle. The wrong one irritates your bees and makes your job harder.

Why Use a Bee Brush?

Bee brushes are used to gently move bees off frames during:

• Inspections: When you need a clear view of cells (looking for eggs, checking for disease)
• Honey harvest: Clearing bees off frames before extraction
• Queen finding: Removing bees to spot the queen more easily
• Hive manipulation: Moving frames between boxes, combining hives

That said, many beekeepers use their brush sparingly or not at all. Bees can be shaken off frames for most purposes, and excessive brushing can agitate them. A brush is a tool to have on hand, not necessarily something you'll use every inspection.

Soft vs. Stiff Bristles

This is the most important choice. Get it wrong and you'll have angry bees on your hands.

Soft Bristles (Recommended)

• Gentle on bees — less likely to injure or pinch them
• Bees brush off smoothly instead of getting tangled
• Less agitation = calmer hive
• Works well for all beekeeping tasks

Stiff Bristles (Not Recommended)

• Can trap and injure bees between bristles
• Pulls on bee bodies, causing distress
• More likely to release alarm pheromone
• May be useful for cleaning equipment, but not for live bees

Natural vs. Synthetic Bristles

Natural Bristles (Horsehair, Pig Hair)

Pros:

• Softer and more flexible
• Bees glide off easily
• Preferred by most experienced beekeepers
• Holds up well over time

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive ($8-15)
• Can absorb propolis and become stiff over time (clean occasionally)

Synthetic Bristles (Nylon, Plastic)

Pros:

• Cheaper ($4-8)
• Easy to clean
• Won't absorb propolis

Cons:

• Often too stiff, even "soft" versions
• Bees can get caught between bristles
• Static can make bees cling rather than brush off

Our take: Spend the extra few dollars on natural bristles. The difference in bee handling is noticeable.

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How to Use a Bee Brush Properly

Even a soft brush can agitate bees if used wrong. Here's the right technique:

1. Use light, smooth strokes. Don't press hard or scrub. The bristles should barely touch the bees.
2. Brush in one direction. Sweep bees downward, toward the hive entrance or into the hive body. Brushing back and forth traps and agitates them.
3. Go with the bee's orientation. Brush head-to-tail (the direction they're facing), not against their bodies.
4. Work quickly but calmly. The faster you clear the frame, the sooner you can put it back and restore calm.
5. Don't over-brush. One or two passes should clear most bees. Multiple aggressive passes release alarm pheromone.

Alternatives to Brushing

Many beekeepers rarely use a brush at all. Here are other methods:

Shaking

Hold the frame over the hive and give it a sharp downward shake. Most bees fall back into the hive. Quick, effective, minimal disturbance.

Smoke

A puff of smoke makes bees move down into the hive. Great for clearing the tops of frames without handling them.

Bee Escapes (for Harvest)

For honey harvest, many beekeepers use bee escapes or fume boards instead of brushing. These clear supers of bees overnight with zero stress.

Blowing

Some beekeepers use a leaf blower (on low) to clear frames during harvest. Faster than brushing for high-volume operations, though it can be disorienting for bees.