she is a "natural" beekeeper who does not treat but says that bees are
naturally resistant to Varroa when they build their own comb.

Bill-

If "natural bees" are naturally resistant to Varroa, because they build
their own comb, you might ask her to explain the crash of feral hives that
has occurred since the introduction of Varroa to N. America.

Another interesting question would focus on the origin of her bees.  Did
she start her top bar from a treated package or perhaps a local swarm that
she picked up?  What is it about her sole remaining hive of bees that imbue
them with exceptional mite resistance?

Is the sole surviving hive more than three years old? (Marla Spivak came to
Boise recently and so eloquently summarized the Varroa situation something
along the lines of: "Don't treat and the first year the bees might make a
little honey and could likely survive, the second year will be iffy and the
third year, they'll be dead."  Who are you going to listen to?

Ignoring mites or pretending mites are absent is certainly a popular
management technique, although success seems pretty short lived.

The question you should ask yourself is whether or not *her* mite
management plan for *her* part of your beeyard is compatible with
*your*mite management plan for the rest of
*your* yard.

Steve Sweet
Boise Idaho

"Manage your mites!"

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