With regard to your management techniques, the excluder above the
second brood chamber?  I have read that this can inhibit the
production of honey? (honey excluder).  I've really only read that an
excluder is good for swarm control techniques and finding a queen.  I
would like to understand your use of the excluder.  Where are you
located?  I am up here in Minnesota and have tried 3 high brood
chambers as recommended by University of MN for wintering, but have
now tried 2 high and have had good luck (el nino?).
 
I like your minimal interference with the colony, but I always get
worried about congested brood areas leading to swarm conditions.  How
do you go about controlling swarm tendencies?
 
I too have had Italians (dark), (texas) Carniolans (california),
Buckfast(texas) and all americans (texas) very strong colonies in
spring and at least one of them is ornery i requeened last fall, but
they still seem more difficult to work than their neighbors also all
american Weaver's apiaries.
 
A.M