Hi Mike, This is a thought I had last year. The flow has been poor here also as Kirk's being in the same general region. Even if it is a defense against varroa it still is in conflict with the beekeepers interests. Mike, were the majority of the swarms pre-fall flow swarms? > Has anyone else seen this? Yes. >Normally, there is still brood in the colony > when the new queen begins to lay, wouldn't you say? Not from what I have been seeing here. Almost every time the queens have not begun to lay till all or almost all have emerged. I have been wondering if the addition of a frame of brood at the time would delay the queen from laying. (just one of them thoughts). I'll give my 2 cents here what I've been thinking for the past few years here. There is often a period between summer and fall (not always) that dries up for a week or two here. Then as goldenrod / asters kick in it re-creates and mimics the conditions of the spring swarm period. Some years this is quite strong impulse. Bees to the trees unless the beekeeper opens up the brood chambers quite a bit. It would however if left to there own devices seem that this would be a natural defense at limiting varroa using a trigger from nature rather than a truly self induced trigger (initially). This of course is pure speculation on my part. Either way it seems that it is a defense taking advantage of the environmental situation and why its good to have a well adapted bee. Clay, NY- across the pond from Mike and Kirk Clay's Bee Page- http://wave.prohosting.com/clay2720/ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::