HELLO PLAYMATES,
I HAVE NOTICED TWO CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MENTIONED IN THE
CORRESPONDENCE SO FAR IN WHICH THE TEMPER OF A COLONY OF BEES MAY DETERIORATE.
 
THE FIRST IS THAT  IT IS A LOT EASIER TO PUT BAYVAROL STRIPS INTO A HIVE THAN
TO TAKE THEM OUT AGAIN.  YOU CAN USUALLY DO THE FORMER WITHOUT GLOVES BUT THEY
ARE DEFINITELY ADVISABLE FOR THE LATTER.  DOES THE SAME APPLY TO APISTAN?
 
THE SECOND IS THAT TEMPER SEEMS TO DETERIORATE PRIOR TO SWARMING, EVEN BEFORE
QUEEN CELLS ARE STARTED.  IS THERE ANY CORRELATION BETWEEN TEMPER AND THE
AMOUNT OF QUEEN SUBSTANCE CIRCULATING WITHIN A COLONY?
 
CHRIS SLADE