The Smoker
The smoker is a metal container with air pumping bellows
attached. A smoldering fire is built in the metal fire chamber
and the bellows are used to blow the smoke produced out
through a nozzle at the top of the smoker.
When lightly puffed into a colony of honey bees the smoke
causes a temporary confusion and disorganization within the
colony. The honey bee’s group defensive behavior is disrupted.
This allows the beekeeper to move calmly and to comfortably inspect
the interior of his colonies.

---

Some theories of anesthesia suppose that disconnection of
various integrating parts of the brain is the mechanism.
Sounds like it works for hive minds, hive anesthesia.