Yesterday I uploaded a major update of my website. Please enjoy! https://www.elgon.es
To be sure you get the right pages you clean the web history in your browser, or refresh the page clicking on almost round arrow near the top of each page of the website. 2020 about 20% of the colonies. This spring the losses over winter is about 5%. The rest look very nice.
The importance of avoiding silent robbing and drifting go spread extra mites neighboring colonies, or to your own. It makes the developing of resistance in your bees more difficult.The breeder 310 used 2020.Breeder 104, used 2019. The photo was taken 2020. This colony was last treated for varroa in 2015. A daughter born 2019 will be used as a breeder in 2021. Almost all of the daughters of 104 gave a split in 2020. They were allowed to raise their own queen. These colonies will contribute with good drones.
Hello Erik!
I agree.
To suddenly stop chemical treatments for “livestock” honeybees can be fatal, but today there are many other methods to treat without chemicals, like a trap comb. Well, it could mean a smaller harvest for one or two years, or more, but to have a completely treatment free stock some time needs some sacrifices.
To boost the microbiom and trigger the colony to do some cleaning is the goal.
Like you do, choose the best fighters to multiply and breed from, which in my eyes must be started right away, even with 2-3 colonies. Free mating provided.
To prevent drifting and robbing I will go on to use my robber screens, which I have made good experience with. Although I cannot train my own bees to stay apart from foreign hives. 🙂
Or can I? Yes, perhaps, if I keep them satisfied, always enough honey inside.
A new season starting, all my colonies surviving so far, how wonderful to have bees near and be able to watch them. 🙂
Hello Erik!
I agree.
To suddenly stop chemical treatments for “livestock” honeybees can be fatal, but today there are many other methods to treat without chemicals, like a trap comb. Well, it could mean a smaller harvest for one or two years, or more, but to have a completely treatment free stock some time needs some sacrifices.
To boost the microbiom and trigger the colony to do some cleaning is the goal.
Like you do, choose the best fighters to multiply and breed from, which in my eyes must be started right away, even with 2-3 colonies. Free mating provided.
To prevent drifting and robbing I will go on to use my robber screens, which I have made good experience with. Although I cannot train my own bees to stay apart from foreign hives. 🙂
Or can I? Yes, perhaps, if I keep them satisfied, always enough honey inside.
A new season starting, all my colonies surviving so far, how wonderful to have bees near and be able to watch them. 🙂