Kraft Paper Strips for Beekeeping

Food-Grade 450mm × 30mm Strips

Some of the best beekeeping tools are also the simplest, and kraft paper strips are a perfect example. Ask any experienced apiarist what's always in their kit, and these pre-cut food-grade cardboard strips will almost always make the list. They light easily, burn slowly, produce clean, cool smoke, and have half a dozen other uses around the hive. Once you've got a stash, you'll wonder how you ever managed without them.

Our kraft strips are made from food-grade, high-density cardboard, pre-cut to a convenient 450mm × 30mm, ready to use straight out of the pack. Available in packs of 20, 100, or 1,000, they suit everyone from a hobbyist with one hive to a commercial operator running hundreds of colonies.

What Are Kraft Paper Strips Used For?

• Smoker kindling and starter: easy to light, slow-burning, and chemical-free, produces clean, cool, calming smoke for hive inspections
• Hive ventilation spacers: wedged between boxes to encourage airflow and reduce moisture build-up
• Comb and frame management: handy during brood inspections, queen rearing, and general hive work
• Beeswax and DIY projects: clean, food-grade cardboard useful in candle making, wax processing, and other beekeeping crafts

Why Choose Kraft Strips Over Other Options?

There are plenty of materials beekeepers traditionally use, pine needles, hessian, old newspaper and wood pellets. Each has its place, but kraft paper strips offer something different: consistency. Every strip is the same size, same density, same burn rate, so you get predictable results every time. They don't contain printing inks, glues, or chemicals like newspaper. They light far more reliably than pine needles in damp weather. And they're vastly cheaper than commercial smoker pellets, especially in the 1,000-pack. For beekeepers who value reliability and don't want any surprises during a hive inspection, kraft strips are the smart, simple choice.

Are They Safe to Use Around Bees?

Absolutely. Our kraft strips are made from food-grade cardboard with no chemical treatments, dyes, glues, or inks. When burned in your smoker, they produce a clean, calming smoke, nothing that could harm your bees or contaminate your honey. They're also safe to use inside the hive as ventilation spacers, since the food-grade material won't introduce anything unwanted into the brood chamber.

Which Pack Size Should I Buy?

The right pack size depends on your scale. The 20-pack is perfect for new beekeepers wanting to try kraft strips out, or for occasional users who only inspect a few times a year. The 100-pack suits hobbyists and sideliners who use their smoker regularly and want a few months' supply on hand. The 1,000-pack is the smart commercial option, best value per strip, ideal for serious operators running multiple inspections every week, beekeeping clubs, or anyone wanting to stock up for the season.

Who Are They For?

These strips suit every type of beekeeper. Beginners love them for how reliably they get a smoker going, no struggling with damp pine needles or unreliable kindling. Hobbyists appreciate the consistency and clean burn. Sideliners and commercial operators rely on the 1,000-pack for serious savings and dependable performance across hundreds of inspections. They're also a favourite of beekeeping clubs and training courses, where reliable smoker fuel makes every demo go smoothly.

Specifications

• Material: Food-grade, high-density kraft cardboard
• Strip size: 450mm × 30mm (pre-cut)
• Pack sizes: 20, 100, or 1,000 strips per pack
• Chemical-free: No dyes, glues, inks, or treatments
• Burn characteristics: Easy to light, slow-burning, produces cool, calming smoke
• Versatility: Suitable for smoker kindling, hive ventilation spacers, comb management, and DIY beekeeping projects

What are kraft paper strips used for?

They're mainly used as smoker kindling, but also work as hive ventilation spacers, in comb and frame management, and for beeswax DIY projects.

Are kraft strips safe to use around bees?

Yes, they're made from food-grade cardboard with no chemical treatments, dyes, glues or inks, producing clean, calming smoke when burned.

What size are the strips?

Each strip is pre-cut to 450mm by 30mm, ready to use straight out of the pack without any trimming needed.

Which pack size should I buy?

The 20-pack suits new or occasional beekeepers, the 100-pack suits regular hobbyists and sideliners, and the 1,000-pack offers the best value for commercial operators.

Why choose kraft strips over pine needles or newspaper?

Kraft strips burn consistently every time, contain no inks or chemicals like newspaper, and light more reliably than pine needles in damp weather.

Can kraft strips be used inside the hive?

Yes, they can be wedged between boxes as ventilation spacers to improve airflow and reduce moisture build-up, since the material is food-grade.

How well do these strips light in damp conditions?

They light more reliably than pine needles in damp weather, thanks to their consistent density and dry, pre-cut form.

Are these suitable for commercial beekeeping operations?

Yes, the 1,000-pack is designed for serious operators running multiple inspections weekly, offering the best value per strip.