>Michael - I've read that you sell queens.
Yes.
> Your infinite wisdom may help answer another of my posts on breeder queens.
Wow! Infinite? Hardly. But I've had a few bees for a few decades and learned a few things.
It sounds to me like you need to find a good queen breeder who isn't using chemicals. Queens are failing at an unprecedented rate these days.
Mine usually lay well for three or four years. I think it's the contamination in the wax from the Apistan and Checkmite. Even if you don't USE chemicals, the wax is all contaminated, so you'll have contaminated comb from the foundation.