David Smolinski wrote:Just so everyone knows, I definite a treatment free survivors as a colony OR queens made from a colony that survived at least 1 spring, summer, and winter with no foundation or treatments. I collect swarms and use other people's colonies for grafting and mating. This maximizes diversity. I just make sure that the other hives are good survivors.
OK, my previous comment become a purple mooseage. It is fine.
While being a fan and practitioner of TF beekeeping, I want to clarify a very important point.
Treatment-free bees
are not equal to mite-resistant bees by default.
Most of treatment-free bees will die given enough time (must give them another 3-4 years to self-weed at the very least).
This important point must be very clear.
Otherwise, many potential buyers will assume they are buying mite resistant bees.
Then it will become a disservice to everyone.
All I am saying.