"david flathman" asked about swarms: > what is the best way to make sure they stay. > the last swarm i hived left the next day. In my view, the majority of swarms that abscond quickly are headed by new queens that have not yet mated properly. Whatever you do, they will fly again to mate and the bees will go with them - they have no future without the queen. Some people have suggested putting a queen excluder under the brood box, but this will simply result in a drone laying queen, sooner - if she has not mated at all - or later - if she has partially mated. Peter Edwards [log in to unmask] :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::