In response to your inquiry, Roy, about queens; Yes, I have seen a problem.
 This may be considered a no-no, but I am going to mention the name of the
breeder that I obtained my last queen from, in hopes that they might take
notice.  I understand, from a beekeeper friend of mine, that this breeder,
generally is unconcerned when customers make complaints.
 
I obtained a swarm locally, in McKinney, Texas (just north of the Dallas/Fort
Worth metroplex) last spring.  The queen was very large and looked very
healthy.  Her laying pattern was fair (not anything spectacular).  The
problems that I had were "fanning" and "running".  This was obviously a
colony bred queen and not a purchased one.  Otherwise, the colony was a
strong colony and very docile.  I could have easily worked the hive without
protective clothing.
 
I wanted to requeen anyway, as soon as possible, to get rid of the "bad"
traits that I mentioned above, but in the interum my queen died somehow.  I
don't know if I rolled her one time when I was in the hive or what, but she
was gone.  This was in August and there was some kind of National conference
going on and all the breeders were closed and gone to the conference, except
Weaver Apiaries.  So, I purchased a queen from them and, MAN, bad news.
 
The running and fanning stopped and the laying pattern is much better, but
these bees are absolutely vicious.  No matter how much you smoke them, as
soon as the hive is opened they immediately make a "bee line" for your face.
 The other day, just the act of removing a feeding jar from the top of this
hive-body/medium super combo caused them to come boiling out of the entrance,
which is at the bottom.  A friend had come to give me a hand, because I am
one-armed, due to a broken arm, right now.  He was wearing blue jeans, a navy
T-shirt and navy cap.  They went after him and chased him a good 30 feet from
the hive.
 
I would definitely say there's a breeding problem.  My friend tells me this
is typical of the Weaver queens.  If so, I will not be purchasing any more
queens from them and will definitely requeen next spring.
 
I'd like to see more discussion on this topic, so I can know who to avoid.
 
 
Mike Wallace
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McKinney, Texas   USA