>>Bees are not wasteful, they make the number of drones that they require, artificially removing them, disturbs the rhythm of what the bees consider 'normal'. Absolutely. Drone trapping is taxing on a colony. Colonies will raise and maintain a certain number of drones in the warm months in order to have their genetics well represented in the drone congregation areas for local virgins' matings. If you remove a lot of drones, the bees will strive to raise replacements which of course requires resources (material, labor, and drone cells). I know that drone trapping helps to keep varroa numbers in check but the idea has little *moral* appeal to me. I hate achieving a goal by sacrificing the troops. :) Waldemar Long Island, NY -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---