Hello haven't been on line much. Start my third season with 5 hives Russian hybrids.After nine years I lost my 6 hives to black bears in 05. Just gave up after that. Been missing the bees so got goeing again three years ago.Got 5 strong hives and have 8 Russian queens coming this spring for splits I hope they're kind of swarmy. I'm treatment,free and kind of partial to Russians for a number of reasons. I even somewhat perversely like their spirited defensiveness anyway hello to all and good luck coming through the winter ,especially all you guys back east in the deep freeze uli