<p>Recently, a trend has emerged in using small concentrations of <i>Cymbopogon schoenanthus</i> or <i>Saccocalyx satureioides</i> essential oils to control pests. These oils often suppress biotic enemies such as fungi, molds, bacteria, and insects. However, it is not yet known whether these oils also affect beneficial organisms such as honeybees. In this preliminary experiment, forager bees were exposed by inhalation to different concentrations of <i>C. schoenanthus</i> or <i>S. satureioides</i> essential oils. The results showed that bee mortality in the inhalation test increased with both the concentrations of essential oils and the duration of exposure. Both essential oils showed LC₅₀ values greater than 5 µL/mL (7.85µL/mL and 6.66µL/mL respectively). Meanwhile, concentrations of 20 µL/mL were found to be more detrimental. Disturbance of locomotion and muscular contractions in bees, recorded through video sequences, revealed that bees exposed to <i>C. schoenanthus</i> exhibited fewer contractions (14.29% showed none and 85.71% showed weak contractions) and were more active (85.71% showing locomotion activity) than those exposed to <i>S. satureioides</i>, which showed more contractions (100%) and lower locomotion activity (85.71% showing no activity and 14.29% with weak locomotion activity). In addition, 75% of the dead bees exposed to <i>Cymbopogon schoenanthus</i> presented extended proboscises, compared to 83.33% of those exposed to <i>Saccocalyx satureioides</i>. Overall, our research provides further evidence supporting the use of conditioning techniques to evaluate essential oils as potential alternative pest control substances, while taking honey bee safety into account.</p>