In a message dated 2/15/01 2:07:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< During this time several
 queen cups were noticed and were destroyed every time.>>


   Why are you fighting with your bees?  They know the queen is failing, and
they try to replace her, but you won't allow it. Do you not think the bees
know best what they need?

    The symptoms you describe are characteristic of a queen that is failing.
Perhaps she did not mate with enough  drones when it was her mating time, or
she is simply old. Either way, the answer is, as you have guessed, to have a
new queen. The bees are capable of making one, assuming you have drones in
the area.

    The question now is whether they have sunk so low that they cannot be
saved. I would advise getting a frame or two of brood from a good hive to
give this hive, both to boost them in strength, and to give them some good
eggs from which to raise a queen. Then let them do it.

    Good luck, Neon.

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