BBKA Forum

The problem with the VSH queens and bees is they don't pass on this trait to next generation
Good marketing but unless closed breeding or II not applicable.
I can't see the point in buying in a few queens that don't need varroa treating. Their offspring will ....

I don't "breed" queens: just ensure the queens I do raise from are not swarmy, runny,aggressive or disease prone. And are easily handled.. Which means out of my eight full size colonies, only two roughly are worth raising queens from. And I cannot control the local drones and the local mongrels are swarmy and aggressive so a nogo area unless I live another 20 years fit enough to keep bees.. Which is unlikely so I am not going to start that venture.

Two out of eight sounds a good basis to go at. I completely agree about the drone wildcard element.

I just wish people with several hives at least actively attended to their worst every year, then they and the rest of us might get somewhere.

Patrick wrote: ↑

19 May 2019, 09:07

I just wish people with several hives at least actively attended to their worst every year, then they and the rest of us might get somewhere.

Completely agree. Everyone should run a nuc or two, practice some form of queen rearing and cul the worst.