<<<< I don't have a strong hive to put it on, due to a major pesticide kill three weeks ago which left my bees badly weakened. >> Robert, That is a rarity nowadays in the UK. What have you done about it? Chris>> Nothing really; the deaths stopped after a downpour, and I haven't had any more problems. I've been pretty puzzled by this myself, it's an urban situation, with no wide-area spraying going on. I do have a sneaking suspicion that it could have been sabotage, as I've been having major problems with another plotholder on the site. It only seemed to be affecting one colony which was odd, if it was a normal kill, but noting seems to fit apart from pesticide; it certainly wasn't robbing. Hopefully I've now stopped that by building a fence which will make it extremely difficult for them to get in, and putting up a notice threatening to expose them publicly if it goes on. They've hardly been seen since that went up so it appears to have scared them. I just hope there are no repetitions. Regards, Robert Brenchley [log in to unmask] Birmingham UK