Hi all,

Yesterday I pulled out a hive which looked to be at least two years old
from the age of the comb (3 years by the account of the homeowner).  In
removing the bees and salvaging the comb I found 1/3 to 1/2 of the brood
was capped drone.  The pattern for the worker-brood was nearly perfect
with the only  'spotted' cells already filled with honey or pollen.
This feral hive made up roughly two deeps full and heavy on worker bees
- great for this time of year in our climate (Colorado, USA).  I didn't
see any mites on the workers nor in the drone brood which was cut in the
removal.

My question is, why are there so MANY drones from what appears to be an
excellent queen?  Unless I'm Q-rearing, should I toss the frames of
drones?  Normally I'll salvage all brood using rubber-bands to hold 'cut
& fitted' comb to frames.

Thanks for your input!
Matthew Westall - Castle Rock, CO