I’ve tried several different methods of mite control, feeding etc. and it has no effect on survival!
RESPONSE: Mites are a really tough pest to control. You should be monitoring and use more than one control option. We have to mix up our options. Sorry you have not found the formula of what works best for you yet. Check out the Tools for Varroa Control on the Honey Bee Health Coalition websitewww.honeybeehealthcoaltion.org/varroa
Q – I have had better luck when I do not treat my Bees, and I remember to feed them when it raining in the spring.
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A – Untreated bees generally will not survive more than a couple of seasons. So non-treatment is just luck. For best results it is better to treat – but of course there is a large variation in treatment effectiveness – and no matter what treatment is used there are some negative effects (the more drastic the treatment and the more treatments the negative effects are likely to escalate. Feeding too can have negative effects but proper treatment (during rainy spring for example) can make a big difference in survival and in strength of colonies.