Mea,
I don't think anyone really knows why bees react to smoke the way they do. I
have heard many theories, such as: they think the hive is on fire and they
gorge themselves with honey prior to departing. Certainly, it must be highly
disruptive in a totally dark environment where odors are the principle
stimuli that bees use to gain awareness of what is going on.

My own theory, developed over almost 30 years of beekeeping, is this:
ordinary smoke intoxicates honey bees. They exhibit symptoms very similar to
intoxication in animals: dulled responses, delayed reaction time, etc. I
believe the gorging is a result of lowered inhibition.

Normally, sticking your head in a cell and pigging out is forbidden in the
hive, but it must be a huge temptation! So when the bees are smoked, the
customs of the hive break down, they fail to defend the entrance, neglect to
sting intruders, and start to gobble fresh honey. If you smoke a hive
excessively, it may be hours before they really get back to work.

Peter Borst