mark berninghausen wrote: >So, Harvey, How do we get that bee? I would say, there are good bees available. They are not mite-proof bees, so therefore one has to keep them going strong one way or another. Whatever way one can, in my opinion. But you won't get it by beating the woods for escaped swarms that probably came off some truckload from Florida or Southern California or who knows where. I say start with good stock and make it better by raising queens from it. Making nucs is not that hard to do and if one makes them strong enough, they can raise their own queens if one doesn't have the time or know-how to do it by grafting. A strong 4 or 5 frame nuc can self-requeen and easily build up during the summer. By making as many nucs as you handle, you can better maintain a steady number, should many hives go down in the fall. One doesn't need special equipment, they can be made in normal single story hives. H. Abeille -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---