mite counts in tfb

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primer: for the sake of this thread, and if barry is ok with it, it's not against any 'rule' to mention any intervention or treatment.

my interest in primarily toward understanding how beekeepers who avoid treatments deal with the varroa mite.

we all understand the bond method, but i am guessing that not all treatment free beekeepers are bond beekeepers.*

so, other than letting colonies just die out from varroa infestion, how do you who avoid treatments:

1. ascertain mite levels
2. decide on mite level that necessitates action
3. decide on an action, and what is it?



* if all treatment free beekeepers are bond beekeepers disregard this thread.

[Solomon Parker]

*In fact, not all of them are.

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shewee, i was worried about that. i feel better now, thanks sol.

[Solomon Parker]

If you'd like me to explain the sort of actions one might take, the whys and why nots and whatnots, I can, but I'd rather leave it up to those who actually use those methods for now.

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i would like anyone to feel free to chime in as they feel led to do so. i guess it would be more meaningful if folks are reporting real life experiences, but i don't mind the 'well, i was thinking i might try this.....' kind of post as well. at this point, i'm addicted to my laptop anyway, so it don't matter.

[Solomon Parker]

i'm addicted to my laptop anyway

Oh yeah?

[RedDave]

So, what is a "bond beekeeper"?

Dave

[Oldtimer]

So, what is a "bond beekeeper"?

Dave

James Bond as in live and let die. A Bond beekeeper does not do any mite treatment and if the hive is going to die he lets it. The theory is the strong survive and you breed from them. Actually I think there's another reason why the method got named the Bond method, but that's how most people remember it, live and let die.

[sfisher]

Im trying out small cell, queens that were born after june 15th, with a brood break, adding some survival feral stock. Nothing new just following in the footsteps of some others.

[Tyson Kaiser]

James Bond as in live and let die. A Bond beekeeper does not do any mite treatment and if the hive is going to die he lets it. The theory is the strong survive and you breed from them.

Wow I didn't know there was a term for us, thanks!

[sqkcrk]

primer: for the sake of this thread, and if barry is ok with it, it's not against any 'rule' to mention any intervention or treatment.

my interest in primarily toward understanding how beekeepers who avoid treatments deal with the varroa mite.

we all understand the bond method, but i am guessing that not all treatment free beekeepers are bond beekeepers.*

so, other than letting colonies just die out from varroa infestion, how do you who avoid treatments:

1. ascertain mite levels
2. decide on mite level that necessitates action
3. decide on an action, and what is it?



* if all treatment free beekeepers are bond beekeepers disregard this thread.

Apparently those who don't treat don't do much or any mite counting. When I asked if anyone was interested in participating in Randy Oliver's Monthly Mite Count Study I got a resounding "NO!!". So, sp, good luck w/ your Thread.

[StevenG]

hmmm I buy from treatment free breeders, and never do mite counts nor treat for mites. Haven't lost a hive to mites since starting this method, going on 6-7 years now. I guess that makes me a Bond Beekeeper.
Regards,
Steven

[jbeshearse]

hmmm I buy from treatment free breeders, and never do mite counts nor treat for mites. Haven't lost a hive to mites since starting this method, going on 6-7 years now. I guess that makes me a Bond Beekeeper.
Regards,
Steven

What have your losses been from?

[StevenG]

Mostly starvation late winter/early spring. Lost one hive to the small hive beetle. Lost a nuc to robbing. Had a newly hived swarm abscond.
Regards,
Steven

[squarepeg]

many thanks for the replys. i'm looking forward to joining the conversation, but the day job is holding me hostage.