Peter Edwards wrote: "Interesting that you use the word rarely. Many books tell you to look in these clusters of bees (I also puff or touch them lightly with a finger), but I cannot say that I recall ever finding a queen under the mass of workers." Peter, I chose "rarely" because I truly rarely find the queen in that manner, perhaps once every three years. I have to look at every frame when searching for the lady, and that's a whole lot of frames! Most of the time I'll find her as I spread a frame away from the rest with a gentle twist of my hive tool between the top bars and quickly peer down the sides of the frames on the small crevasse just opened. And yes, I often touch very lightly with my finger as well sometimes with a slight passing motion over the top of the mass. I always enjoy finding a queen that seems to be oblivious to my presence and the brightness of daylight going about her business of inspecting one cell at a time then carefully depositing her egg. Then there are the runners! But, that’s another post. Regards, Chuck Norton Norton's Nut & Honey Farm Reidsville, NC :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::