Jerry, In two cases, we have found swarms of bees as puddles of bees on the ground. I sampled one of them and found it riddled with varroa mites. I suspect it was an absconding swarm and destroyed it. Adrian *************************************************************** * Adrian Wenner E-Mail [log in to unmask] * * Department of Biology Office Phone (805) 893-2838 * * University of California Lab Phone (805) 893-2838 * * Santa Barbara, CA 93106 FAX (805) 893-4724 * ***************************************************************