Thanks for the note! :)  It was my beebuddy's hive and she got them nasty...
She says she has tried everything she can think of...from the time she
got them home as a nuc she says she has kept the weeds down, has been
skunk free, isn't overcrowded in the yard, etc.  We are stymied.
Again, I appreciate your response to our help cry :)  Cheers, Jane.