KathyP. I have no idea where the thread went. But, you went "off with her head", and you did. Yeah!!! She must have been not so good, such a sad thing. I killed a queen...it was harmful emotionally for me to do it, but I did. I combined that hive with another hive. I did not wait for them to raise a new queen. I thought it better to have a really strong colony, than one that is just getting along. Is this new colony just getting along. Tell us about what is going on. You may have a really strong colony going into winter, you will have to check that out. Good luck girl, we are all learning, we are all getting to be beemasters, one day, we will all be assimilated. Have this wonderful day, Cindi