>>...putting cells into the remaining half to mate out ... the weather went bad ... and I had 250 singles of laying workers! I'd like to get this straight. Do you mean laying workers or drone-laying queens? I had a late season virgin last year that failed to mate and became a drone-layer in February. >>Note that combining always works best during a nectar flow. My experience, too. Waldemar -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---