What's with smoke and bees?

Question

What is the effect of smoke on bees?

Answer 1

All I know is that it keeps them at bay.  Maybe it hinders their breathing the same way it does ours.  But it makes them safer to be around.

Answer 2

bees instinctively react to smoke as if there is a fire threatening the colony, and they start to gorge themselves on honey in order to have something to eat until the destroyed home can be replaced.  then what you have is a bunch of bees that are fat and lethargic.  how bad do YOU wanna pick a fight immediately after a meal that's six times as big as usual?