From:                   Kathy E Cox <[log in to unmask]>

> I have a drone layer. Probably because of mites.

   Mites probably have nothing to do with it. If she was a young
queen, she didn't mate with enough drones (bad weather on her flight
day, or inadequate supply of drone...). If she's old, she simply ran
out of sperm.

   If the colony is still pretty strong, give them a couple frames of
worker brood with some eggs in them. They will raise a queen. If you
try to introduce one, they will kill it.

   Alternatively you can add an established nuc in the center. Make
sure the queen is on a central frame with her own bees around her for
protection, and feed syrup so all will be happy, and not kill the
queen.

  If the colony is alreay getting weak, set it on a strong colony and
use as a super. You have only old bees left, nothing of any real
value except for the equipment.

Dave Green   SC  USA
The Pollination Home Page:  http://pollinator.com

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