The Importance of Drones in Nature

Some colonies contain so much drone comb as to be nearly worthless. In July or August, soon after the swarming season is over, the bees expel the drones from the hive. They sometimes sting them, and sometimes gnaw the roots of their wings. If not treated in either of these summary ways, they are so persecuted and starved that they soon perish. The hatred of the bees extends even to the young which are still unhatched. They are mercilessly pulled from the cells and destroyed with the rest. A colony which neglects to expel its drones at the usual season ought always to be examined. See Chapter on the Loss of the Queen for more information.