Hello All Thanks for the many replies to my question on the above. The consensus seems that the problem is best solved by having two entrances. You know when I think about it, I must confess that the answer is so simple that I immediately said 'Now why did I not think of that?'. George Imirie (whom you disregard at your peril), sounded a downbeat note about the idea. So perhaps like many beekeepers before me maybe I just have to work the two queen idea out of my system. But meantime it 'looks' attractive, and I will provide the second entrance and see how things go. Again thanks for the help. Sincerely Tom Barrett 49 South Park Foxrock Dublin 18