I've been thinking about this. I've had good luck with sugar dusting but have noticed that it inhibits the bees ability to navigate. If I waited until dusk on a cold day, I'd be afraid they wouldn't all find their way home. I wonder if there was a lack of good mating on those queens and some of them didn't smell strong enough to keep the cluster. Next time close them in overnight, perhaps with a screen. Dick *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Access BEE-L directly at: http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L