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Yes and no. There is some truth that certain aspects of modern beekeeping practices affect mites, for example we actually use foundation that encourages bees to

Yes and no. There is some truth that certain aspects of modern beekeeping practices affect mites, for example we actually use foundation that encourages bees to produce cells (and therefore bees) a little larger than they would in nature, this extra space around the brood leaves more room for a mite to invade the cell. Similarly there is some evidence screened bottom boards like you describe can help by letting mites that fall off bees fall out of the hive. This isn't a more natural hive design however. In nature bees generally nest in holes in tree trunks, which definitely don't have open bottoms. There is no magic hive design that solves the mite problem. The big issue is that our bees (in the USA) are from Europe, while varroa is from Asia, meaning our bees have never evolved defenses against them. This is why mites have essentially wiped out feral beehives. The best hope for long term control is breeding programs breeding for bees that have behaviors that keep mites under control. In the meantime there are a number of things beekeepers can do to help the situation, but at this time they're aren't any known practices that will eliminate the need for treatment.

reason-mr 3y ago
A variety of evidence exists on both sides of the debate on the need for treatment. Here is a book on the treatment free side: https://www.amazon.com/Treatment-Free-Beekeeping-David-Heaf/dp/191381100X https://www.amazon.com/Treatment-Free-Beekeeping-David-Heaf/...
lostlogin 3y ago
> for example we actually use foundation that encourages bees to produce cells (and therefore bees) a little larger than they would in nature I use standard foundation and find it discourages bees from making drones cells. Mites love drones as they incubate longer and so the mites can breed better in the cells. If I don’t put foundation in, they make drone cells. If you cut these out and throw them away, you destroy a lot of mites. I’m a bit squeamish and hate doing this but do cut out some drone cells, as they get utterly infested.
- Volundr 3y ago
  You can buy drone foundation for this purpose. A frame of drone foundation discourages the bees from making drone cells elsewhere and you can pull the whole frame, pop it in the freezer overnight and then return it to the hive. The girls will remove the now dead brood and start again. This can also be part of your varroa strategy.

reason-mr 3y ago

A variety of evidence exists on both sides of the debate on the need for treatment. Here is a book on the treatment free side: https://www.amazon.com/Treatment-Free-Beekeeping-David-Heaf/dp/191381100X https://www.amazon.com/Treatment-Free-Beekeeping-David-Heaf/...

lostlogin 3y ago

> for example we actually use foundation that encourages bees to produce cells (and therefore bees) a little larger than they would in nature I use standard foundation and find it discourages bees from making drones cells. Mites love drones as they incubate longer and so the mites can breed better in the cells. If I don’t put foundation in, they make drone cells. If you cut these out and throw them away, you destroy a lot of mites. I’m a bit squeamish and hate doing this but do cut out some drone cells, as they get utterly infested.

Volundr 3y ago
You can buy drone foundation for this purpose. A frame of drone foundation discourages the bees from making drone cells elsewhere and you can pull the whole frame, pop it in the freezer overnight and then return it to the hive. The girls will remove the now dead brood and start again. This can also be part of your varroa strategy.