Behandlungsfrei imkern

Bee-friendly beekeeping. Finally in German: The book by the pioneer of treatment-free beekeeping.

The greatest threat to the survival of the Western honeybee is the Varroa mite and the viruses it transmits. Since the Varroa arrived in Europe and America in the 1980s, most beekeepers have been forced to treat their bee colonies with chemicals to avoid significant losses. However, a minority of beekeepers have managed to maintain their colonies without the use of medications. Their losses are not only manageable but are comparable to or even lower than those of beekeepers who do treat.

One of the pioneers of treatment-free beekeeping is the Brit David Heaf. In this book, he compiles all his experiences and demonstrates how treatment-free beekeeping can be implemented in practice. In Germany, there is currently still a legal obligation to treat for Varroa. In Switzerland and Austria, Varroatosis must be reported in the event of an outbreak. However, interest in treatment-free beekeeping is growing everywhere.

Through thirty portraits of treatment-free beekeepers in Europe and America (including well-known names in Varroa-resistant bee breeding), this book documents the encouraging successes and the increasing popularity of chemical-free beekeeping and describes the practices of the featured beekeepers.