I had been treatment free up until last season. I lost all sixteen of my colonies over the winter. I made a post about this previously. NO more treatment free. It's like vaccinations: Either every bee colony in the world goes treatment free, sustains unspeakable losses and hopefully reaches balance with the invading pest. OR every colony in the world gets its vaccination until the pest is a thing of the past. I don't have another answer. This loss had demoralized me, but I'm coming back.
I'll be using MAQS on my full colonies in the fall.
I think I'll make a new revised post: "What are the best mite treatments and best timing for newly collected swarms?"