Got this stuck in my head, from another thread i was reading the other day. Keep seeing people say that newbies try to go treatment free and fail because they don't know what they're doing. (not exactly in those words)
I assumed that using/monitoring the drone comb for mites, and freezing the mites when necessary, along with a screened bottom board would be enough to combat varroa. I was also under the impression that other diseases are best kept away by keeping a strong hive, so i decided to increase my starting hive numbers from 2 to now 4. That way if needed i can give a weak hive a boost from a frame of brood if needed.
Of course, i am completely new to beekeeping, and will soon find out all of this on my own. But with some of the recent discussion I've seen here, figured i would ask, cuz right now im just waiting for the bees anyway.
*ready for 1200 different opinions
I assumed that using/monitoring the drone comb for mites, and freezing the mites when necessary, along with a screened bottom board would be enough to combat varroa. I was also under the impression that other diseases are best kept away by keeping a strong hive, so i decided to increase my starting hive numbers from 2 to now 4. That way if needed i can give a weak hive a boost from a frame of brood if needed.
Of course, i am completely new to beekeeping, and will soon find out all of this on my own. But with some of the recent discussion I've seen here, figured i would ask, cuz right now im just waiting for the bees anyway.
*ready for 1200 different opinions