The queen bee controls other members of the hive primarily through the release of pheromones. 

This chemical signal regulates various activities within the colony by influencing the behavior and physiology of worker bees. For example, it promotes worker unity and cohesion, ensuring that all bees focus on their roles, such as foraging, nursing, and comb building. 

Additionally, it suppresses the reproductive capabilities of worker bees, preventing them from laying eggs and maintaining a single-queen system in the hive. When the queen is healthy and active, her strong pheromone presence keeps the hive organized and functioning smoothly; however, if she dies or becomes unproductive, the decrease in pheromone levels signals the workers to initiate queen-rearing processes to replace her.