Loss of drones (kicked out) can happen at any time of the year.
Shortages or poor quality pollen can trigger the workers to evict drones
from the hive. Eviction of drones usually happens when the hive has had a
shortage for approx. two weeks.
Per Steve Taber (Breeding Super Bees) paraphrased "pollen shortages can
happen in a portion of a hive, or some colonies in the same apiary, even
when the rest of the hives have enough pollen".
"1st level of pollen shortages would be the loss of drone larva (eaten)48hrs
2nd level would be loss of drone eggs-appox.7 days
3rd level would be no drones after approx.2 wks."
     I loosely followed Steves experiment of trying to keep healthy drones
in 5 hives last winter. I was able to keep drones in 3 of these hives on
into Feb. At this time I ran out of pure pollen to feed the hives and
started feeding them substitute. Even though the hives continued to rear
broad I was not able to keep the level of drones that I was using the pure
pollen.
Interesting that the older books suggest drone comb removal and entrance
trapping and now we all look to our drones for condition of hive health
and good gene inheritance.
Frank Wyatt
Eden, NC

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