• Sustainable varroa control using biotechnical methods
• Distributed by: Heinrich Holterman KG
• Hardcover, 83 pages

Blurb

The parasitic Varroa mite is still the biggest threat to honey bee colonies worldwide. Despite various chemical treatments, beekeepers still lose many of their colonies every year. In this book, the authors present their approach to natural beekeeping, as well as practical steps to keep bee colonies healthy in the long term. The techniques are taught with clear step-by-step instructions in the book and QR code links to short videos so that beekeepers can work confidently and in harmony with the natural behaviors of their honey bees.

Based on bee biology and natural defense mechanisms, various methods of varroa treatment are described, each based on a summer brood break. Complete brood removal, brood interruption by caging the queen and the ban comb method are presented together with many practical tips for safe implementation.

The authors bring their extensive practical experience from the scientific testing of these methods together with the findings of many other beekeepers and researchers across Europe. Their approach enables a more sustainable way of operating that is in harmony with the biology of the honey bee, the needs of beekeeping and the growing environmental awareness of the public. This description of varroa management based on the natural defense strategies of honey bees fills an important gap in beekeeping literature.