On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:29:12 -0400, Lloyd Spear <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>This particular guy takes 100% of his bees south for the winter so has no
idea how well they would do at over wintering in NYS.

Whether he takes 100% of his bees back south depends on whether they swarm
while they're here, doesn't it? This year I have seen a lot of dead-outs
being repopulated by stray swarms. No doubt many of those originate from
hives that winter in Florida. 

Bottom line is: if you get swarms, check them out carefully for temperament.
Getting bees ID'd is a very slow process from what I hear, so I would
recommend take charge of any vicious bees on your own. You don't need
anybody's permission to ice the bees.

Pete

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