Year 1 had it typical start up problems... started too late and the folks capturing the drones were lacking in experience in such matters (first year me and one student) and year 2 (I think) Adrain and Pierre. Year 1 I had no clue about capturing drones but we bungled along.  

>2013 was not a very good year and followed a severe drought that ended in the late fall of 2011. 2014 was a bit better in terms of season.  I would discount contamination from things like pesticide given where I keep these bees <In the very distant past I have checked for contamination in comb. Drones were hard to find in 2013 and became more and more difficult as the season wore on. Poor nutrition and increasing hot hot weather would be my guess for number in 2013.  Better nutrition and a better skill set in 2014.



Wow,  great information!    Gene ,  can you elaborate a bit on the proper ways to sample drones?  Personaly I wouldn’t have thought anything of it!

Charles

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