lots of drones at hive

[Kimbrell]

Question:  A friend of mine told me about one of his hives that had a lot of drones coming in and out of it today.  He also said there was a small mound of black "soot" at the entrance.  I haven't had a chance to see this for myself and it is too cold here to go into the hive anyway.  Any ideas as to what might be wrong with the hive (if anything) and what I should look for when it does get warm enough to go into it?  My only suggestion was that he might have a failing queen; but I don't know what to make of the black stuff.  He has two other hives .  He said they seem to be fine.    :?

[Brian D. Bray]

Not sure about the black soot, but the evidence of drones this late in the year might indicate a laying worker situation.

[bxmas13]

I just confirmed that I have/had a worker laying situation.  Really disappointing, as this is my first hive.  It's really my fault though, I didn't put the queen in the right way and I am pretty sure they "removed" her promptly.  I first hived them in late April. 

Side note:  I have the same "soot" at the entrance of my hive in Utah??

[Michael Bush]

Propolis:  Greek for "Before the city"

[TwT]

from another hive if you have one put a frame with egg's and young larva in and it should correct it, once a queen hatches they will almost always kill the laying worker! but not all the time but odds are with her. the trick is to get them to draw out Q-cells, if you have one then you ahead of the game..