Alternative varroa treatment
Alternative varroa treatment
There is no optimal and sustainable varroa control. Every known method generates a side effect in one or the other direction. Therefore, we recommend diversifying both beekeeping as well as the varroa treatment. This specifically means:
- Varroa treatment on the basis of essential oils for natural beekeeping. The swarming instinct serves as base and Thymol as treatment agent during brood break: Alternative varroa control concept (available in german)
- For extensive honey production, where swarms depart less often and with delay, complete brood removal according to Dr Ralph Büchler. This method uses no chemicals at all: Complete brood removal
“Everything that hinders the varroa mite only delays the desired host-parasite balance,“ says Dr David Heaf, a dedicated British beekeeper. As is shown by different scientific studies, the western honeybee definitely is capable to live a life in balance with the varroa mite.
According to written statements of the Swiss Centre for Bee Research in Liebefeld, the chances of eliminating the mite again in Switzerland at any time in the future are virtually non-existent. Moreover, it is exactly because of the treatments that there is no pressure on the bees to adapt to the mites, so the Centre.
We believe the parasite (varroa mite) would be pursuing an absurd strategy if it could become a serious threat to its host (the bee) as this would lead to the mite eliminating itself.
The scientific facts suggest that varroa is neither external problem nor cause of the bee deaths. The varroa problem is home-made! We may be breeding a sort of “super varroa“ with our current methods of beekeeping and varroa control strategy that otherwise would not exist in its present form in nature, as is shown by studies of Prof. Dr. T. D. Seeley from the Arnot Forest (USA). And we are also weakening the bee colonies with the “bee medicines” currently in use such as synthetic pesticides, formic and oxalic acids and also with Thymol. True, the organic acids that are also admissible for use in organic honey production are safe for human consumption, but they represent violent acid attacks against the bee colony. Among other things, scientists report of biological cell death of the bee brood. And what destroys the offspring most probably will also damage or at least weaken the parents and, in particular, the queen that lives for several years.
Completely untreated colonies are important for the honeybees’ ability to adapt to present conditions. Several trials – some with scientific background – have shown that, after all, untreated colonies have quite a good chance of survival! Therefore, the claim – that has been asserted time and again – that an untreated colony at all costs is doomed to die, is not true.
These very roughly summarised statements derive from the concept Contemporary and targeted beekeeping method (only available in german) where the topic is dealt with in more detail and a scientific basis is given.