At 02:05 PM 2/3/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Just a few unrelated questions:
>1. I plan to requeen one of my hives this spring (if they survive the rest
>of the winter). Honey production was minimal and they are quite
>aggressive. When does one go about ordering a new queen to have it for
>spring? Do you have to order month's in advance?

As soon as possible.  Queen producers are typically busiest in the spring
and it's often a first come first serve business.  Ordering early also lets
them plan for the demand, after all a queen isn't produced overnight.  If
you order late you'll have to come out of the stock on hand which may be
limited or wait until more are raised.



>2. Re: pollen traps (Just read Lloyd's article in Bee Culture).  How do
>these traps benefit the bees in the long run?  Aren't you just taking the
>pollen from them to give it back later? Why not just let them store it
>away for later themselves? I am missing something here.

Pollen is often collected for human consumption.  Various health benefits
are claimed.  See http://www.levacapiary.com/pollen.html and several dozen
other sites as well.

-Tim