Since the Varroa mite arrived in Europe and America in the 1980s, most beekeepers have been forced to treat their bee colonies with chemicals in order to avoid major colony losses. However, a minority have managed to maintain their colonies without the use of medication. Their colony losses are not only manageable, but are similar or even lower than those of beekeepers who treat.

Based on thirty portraits of treatment-free beekeepers in Europe and America (including famous names in Varroa resistance beekeeping), David Heav, one of the pioneers of treatment-free beekeeping, documents the encouraging successes and growing popularity of chemical-free beekeeping and describes the practices of the beekeepers featured.