==Quote===
We test our ideas and test them hard.  The _three times_ I went 
treatment-free or nearly so, I lost _all_ the hives involved around the 
third year, so it is not that we are not  don't look favourably on the 
idea.  
=====

Hello,

I agree, -it is typical to loose a large 
percentage of colonies by about the
3rd year after going treatment free.
That being said, when I started 
treatment free, goals were set low,
I considered colonies which lasted 
2 or 3 years a success, then goals 
set at 4 years and so on.

==Quote===
We know that some seem to be going without treatments, and even on a 
large scale, but we know the odds are against success in any large 
number for more than a few years have been shown in the past to be 
poor. .... 
On BEE-L, we're happy to hear reports, but we look critically at 
everything.
=====

I would enjoy hearing reports from those
keeping bees without treatments in areas 
where there are no ferals, -due to the low 
mite pressure I am experiencing here in
a region with a healthy feral population.

My hypothesis is that ferals must be
contributing to low mite counts in some manner.
Besides contributing to good out mating, perhaps
ferals are maintaining low enough mite loads 
so as not to add mite pressure to domestic 
colonies.  They may also be maintaining 
sufficient strength to act as a beacon, 
siphoning off drifting mite infested bees 
from domestic colonies. 

In a region without ferals, one might 
experience the post flow crash Randy
was referring to.  With no ferals to siphon
drifting infested bees, they will naturally
be attracted to the strongest producers.

My belief is that beekeepers going treatment
free in areas not having a healthy feral 
population may experience great difficulties.

Best Wishes
Joe Waggle
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FeralBeeProject/
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles/

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