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Are we Treatment free?

Writer's picture: Ben the BeekeeperBen the Beekeeper

At Ben’s Berkshire Bees, we are dedicated to the health and welfare of our bees, as well as to responsible beekeeping. One of the topics that frequently arises in beekeeping circles is the idea of “treatment-free” beekeeping - an approach where beekeepers do not use any chemical or medicinal interventions to manage pests and diseases, they claim this is sustainable beekeeping, we disagree and are unapologetically not Treatment Free. Here’s why:


The Threat of Varroa Destructor

Varroa within a cell
Varroa within a cell

One of the biggest challenges facing honey bees today is the Varroa destructor mite. These mites are endemic, the National Bee Unit consider that colonies have Varroa by default in disease reporting. This parasitic mite weakens colonies by feeding on the bees fat bodies and vectoring damaging viruses such as Deformed Wing Virus and Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus. Left unmanaged, Varroa infestations almost always lead to colony collapse within a few seasons.


Some advocates of treatment-free beekeeping argue for “survival of the fittest,” suggesting that natural selection will eventually lead to stronger bees. While it is true that some colonies have shown resistance to Varroa, this process takes many generations and comes at the cost of significant colony losses. In managed beekeeping, allowing colonies to succumb to pests and diseases without intervention is not only impractical but also irresponsible, as collapsing colonies spread mites and pathogens to other hives in the area. There is nothing sustainable about that.


Research and real-world experience have demonstrated that without intervention, the survival rate of untreated colonies is extremely low. We believe that responsible beekeeping means actively managing Varroa levels to protect not only our own bees but also the wider beekeeping community.


The Impact on Local Bee Populations


Beekeeping doesn’t happen in isolation. If an untreated colony collapses due to disease, those infected bees will often drift into neighbouring hives, spreading pests and pathogens. This poses a risk to both wild pollinators and other managed hives in the area. By responsibly treating our bees, we are helping to maintain a healthy bee population in Berkshire and beyond.


Treatment Methods We Use


At Ben’s Berkshire Bees, we prioritise sustainable and evidence-based methods of treatment. This includes:

Comb infected with Varroa
Comb infected with Varroa

  • Monitoring - we monitor mite levels and complete regular disease inspections.

  • Treatments – We use treatments approved by DEFRA as veterinary medicines such oxalic and formic acid, which are effective against mites while minimising harm to the bees. There are strict rules about how and when we treat to ensure that the honey that is taken off the bees is

  • Biotechnical Methods – We complete shook swarms to change comb and create brood breaks where varroa numbers are reduced.


These strategies allow us to keep our colonies healthy while avoiding the overuse of synthetic chemicals that can lead to resistance in pests.


The Ethical Responsibility of Beekeepers


Those who have been to our talks will know that we don't think that keeping honeybees is about "saving the bees", the bees that need help are the solitary and bumble bees, honeybees are everywhere and overpopulated in same places. We believe that keeping bees comes with a duty of care. Just as responsible livestock farmers provide veterinary care for their animals, beekeepers have an obligation to intervene when their bees are suffering from disease or parasite infestations. Allowing colonies to die out due to an avoidable pest issue is, in our view, neither ethical nor sustainable.


To put it into perspective, if a dog suffering from fleas, worms, or other preventable illnesses, and the owner said that because they were treatment free they would just see what would happen and if the dog didn't make it, get a new one, we wouldn't see that as commendable sustainable dog ownership - we'd call the RSPCA. Just as a responsible pet owner ensures their dog is free from parasites and disease, we believe it’s our responsibility to ensure our bees receive proper care and protection.


We understand the appeal of treatment-free beekeeping, it is romantic to think that the bees are capable of sorting themselves out, but for us, the health of our bees and the wider ecosystem comes first. Through responsible treatment strategies, we aim to support strong, thriving colonies that contribute to biodiversity and food security. So as controversial as it is these days, we are unapologetically in favour of treating bees.





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