Welcome Johnny, what's your method for non treatment?
I know "they" say that the chemicals used in some treatments leave no or very little residue in the hives. Some say it's naturally occuring chemicals and therefor natural treatments. I'm of a mind that, just like in humans, you can throw balance off using treatments that kill the good and the bad. Granted, if I lost all my colonies this year I wouldn't be late making the house payment. I have mostly ferrel stock. I'm pretty sure I know where they resided before they were in the tree and that was another beekeeper. But they have lived in the tree quite happily for at least three years and throw me at least one swarm a year. I have screened bottom oil traps that do a nice job with the hive beetles. I try to split them at least once in the spring when they look swarmy. I don't buy queens, I let them raise their own. So far so good. They are a little hot in the early spring, ok maybe very hot, but seem to calm down by May and are somewhat gentle. I obviously have lost a few colonies, but no more than anyone else. So I guess if it ain't broke...
Topic: Hello from S East NC (Read 1993 times)