What technique is used for introducing a new queen to a bee colony?

The queen cage introduction technique is widely used for introducing a new queen to a bee colony because it allows for a controlled and gradual acclimatization of the new queen. This method involves placing the queen in a special cage that has a candy plug. The workers in the colony can then become familiar with her scent while she is safely enclosed. Over time, the bees will eat through the candy plug, which gives them the opportunity to adjust to her presence. This gradual introduction reduces the likelihood of the bees rejecting or attacking the new queen, as they have had time to accept her pheromones and recognize her as part of their colony.

In contrast, methods like direct release can cause stress to the colony and increase the risk of rejection, as the sudden introduction might overwhelm the bees. Additionally, the queen excluder introduction method is not a recognized standard practice for introducing queens, while the swarm box method is used for a different purpose, mainly to collect swarms rather than for introducing a queen into an established colony. This reinforces that the queen cage introduction method is both effective and widely recommended for ensuring the successful integration of a new queen into a hive.