George,, > I have been feeding 1:1 sugar syrup starting in January in Maryland to get > queens laying for well over 40 years, and have never had any trouble. I am certainly glad to hear I am not alone. The continuous feeding (I also add pollen supplement, as I mentioned) is to keep the queens laying beginning about the first of the year. Very much in line with your experiences. Normally southern queens do not readily lay in our long dark winters. Perhaps I should add for purposes of fuller explanation, I am also buying queens from The Bee Works in Ontario, Canada. That also may be a part of my newly found success in wintering. Tom, (new beekeeper only 17 years-or is it 18? I lose track) -- "Test everything. Hold on to the good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Tom Elliott Chugiak, Alaska U.S.A. [log in to unmask]