I've been reading alot on the forums lately how easy we can be treatment free , while it seems most seasoned practical beekeepers that have been around awhile use various treatments to deal with mites .The other side of the fence says all we have to do is order vsh queens from a good supplier and your all set no more mite problem !
Not trying to start a war here between the treat crowd versus the non treat , this is a different idea , this says if we get the right queens there is no more of the two crowds we all have happy bee's without treating and no dead colonies .
This QUOTE from a VSH breeder relates to what I'm talking about - The development of the VSH line of bees by the team of scientists at the USDA Bee Breeding Lab in Baton Rouge, is a true scientific success story. Through careful observation and experimentation, they painstakingly came to understand the natural defenses that the bees had hidden away in their genome. Selection for these beneficial genetic traits over many bee generations has resulted in not only resistance to Varroa mites, but also to American Foulbrood and Chalkbrood. The hygienic behavior of VSH bees, even extends to defense against wax moths and small hive beetles.
Queen rearing is one of those high leverage activities, where small actions can have large consequences. By carefully choosing the proper breeding stock to begin with, entire local populations of bees can be transformed into mite destroying armies, getting the upper hand on the many problems Varroa can cause. The development and use of VSH bees show that man and nature can work together for the mutual benefit of both. So whats the catch ? Or are we close to solving this mite problem .
Not trying to start a war here between the treat crowd versus the non treat , this is a different idea , this says if we get the right queens there is no more of the two crowds we all have happy bee's without treating and no dead colonies .
This QUOTE from a VSH breeder relates to what I'm talking about - The development of the VSH line of bees by the team of scientists at the USDA Bee Breeding Lab in Baton Rouge, is a true scientific success story. Through careful observation and experimentation, they painstakingly came to understand the natural defenses that the bees had hidden away in their genome. Selection for these beneficial genetic traits over many bee generations has resulted in not only resistance to Varroa mites, but also to American Foulbrood and Chalkbrood. The hygienic behavior of VSH bees, even extends to defense against wax moths and small hive beetles.
Queen rearing is one of those high leverage activities, where small actions can have large consequences. By carefully choosing the proper breeding stock to begin with, entire local populations of bees can be transformed into mite destroying armies, getting the upper hand on the many problems Varroa can cause. The development and use of VSH bees show that man and nature can work together for the mutual benefit of both. So whats the catch ? Or are we close to solving this mite problem .