Smoke and scent during introduction

Using smoke and scent masking during queen introduction can further disrupt hive odors and increase queen acceptance. Just before introducing the queen cage, beekeepers use a smoker to puff smoke into the hive entrance, briefly disorienting the bees and disrupting hive pheromone balance. Simultaneously, a scent masking agent, such as essential oils (e.g., lemongrass, peppermint), can be applied to the hive top bars or entrance. This combination of smoke and scent masking further obscures colony-specific odors, making bees less likely to identify the new queen as foreign and increasing acceptance rates. This technique is often used in conjunction with slow introduction methods for challenging queen introductions.