Comments on: Treatment-Free Beekeeping and the Varroa Mite

By: Ernie Bragiel

Ernie Bragiel — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 15:58:16 +0000

Though not a beekeeper, I try to stay informed. As to pest problems in bees, aren’t the Buckfast Bees (of Buckfast Abbey, England) bred with ability to stave of some of these predators while remaining quite productive. I refer you to the Abbey website regarding this info. Is artificial insemination helpful in improving strains with resistivity?

By: Donald R Royer

Donald R Royer — Wed, 10 May 2017 13:21:01 +0000

In reply to Mark de Kiewiet. The majority of commercial bee keepers here in America won't go treatment free for one reason, Most Americans feel like 'This year MUST be better than last year or I'm a failure.' They dont want to give natural selection a chance ev e n though the outcome may be even better.

By: Julia L

Julia L — Fri, 05 May 2017 04:46:47 +0000

Our county beek association has become zealous about treating for mites to the point where they’ve purchased a mapping software and has asked everyone to register their hive(s) with the intention of notifying everyone w/i a 2 mile radius of the hive that has an infestation so everyone can treat for mites. I’m in favor of utilizing VR bees but trying to get everyone on board – that’s the challenge.

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 05 May 2017 00:18:57 +0000

As a new beekeeper, the issue of how to handle varroa mites is incredibly intimidating. I hate the idea of treating if I observe high mite levels, but the thought of overwintering my bees in northern Minnesota without treating would make me equally nervous. So it’s nice to learn about places that have been successful without relying on chemical treatments.

By: Mark de Kiewiet

Mark de Kiewiet — Thu, 04 May 2017 13:35:15 +0000

There is a commercial Beekeeper in Souther Arizona who has been treatment free for the past 35 years!
Some countries decided not to treat and today do not have a problem with their commercial bees. Here in the USA we decided to treat and we still have the problem.
Support the bees to deal with the mites, do not make them depended upon us to do this.