Sugar plug in queen cage

Using a candy plug in the queen cage is a variation of slow queen introduction that further enhances gradual queen release. The queen cage has a small opening plugged with candy (often made of sugar and honey). Worker bees must chew through the candy plug to release the queen. This process takes time, typically a day or two, allowing for a very slow and gradual queen release and maximizing pheromone acclimation. The slow release via candy plug significantly increases queen acceptance rates compared to direct release, as bees are fully accustomed to the queen's presence by the time she is freely moving in the hive. Queen cages often come with candy plugs.