Understanding the Future of Beekeeping Without Treatments
Across the world, beekeepers are increasingly exploring treatment-free beekeeping – the practice of managing colonies without chemical or synthetic treatments for pests like Varroa destructor.
This isn’t just an idealistic trend. It’s grounded in serious scientific research showing that honey bees can, and do, evolve natural resistance to varroa and the viruses it spreads. One of the leading voices in this movement, Dr. Stephen Martin, has spent decades studying varroa resistance in honey bees from Africa to Europe and beyond. His findings shed light on how bees can manage mites – and what beekeepers can do to support that process.
Why Varroa Mites Are the Real Challenge
Varroa mites are tiny external parasites that feed on honey bees, weakening them and spreading viruses – particularly Deformed Wing Virus (DWV).
It’s not the mites alone that usually kill colonies, but the viruses they transmit.
When mites inject DWV directly into developing bees, those bees often emerge weak or deformed, and the colony’s population collapses – especially over winter.
For decades, the standard response has been chemical treatments. But Dr. Martin’s work shows that in some parts of the world, honey bees have naturally evolved ways to control mites without human intervention.
The Global Evidence: Nature’s Experiment in Resistance
In regions such as Africa, South America, and Cuba, beekeepers rarely (if ever) treat for varroa. Instead, colonies have developed natural resistance.
- African and Africanized bees have long thrived with varroa present. Their success lies in strong hygienic behaviour and fast colony turnover.
- In South Africa, when varroa first arrived, the government chose not to treat colonies. Within just five to six years, local bees adapted and became resistant.
- In Cuba, the world’s largest untreated population of European honey bees – over 200,000 colonies – thrives without treatments.
These examples prove that natural adaptation is possible when bees are allowed to evolve alongside the parasite.
How Resistance Works: The Bees’ Natural Defenses
Dr. Martin and other researchers have uncovered the behavioural mechanisms behind varroa resistance.
- Hygienic behaviour:
Bees detect and remove diseased or mite-infested brood before the mites can reproduce. - Recapping:
Resistant bees open (uncap) and reseal (recap) brood cells more often. This disrupts mite reproduction by disturbing their cycle. (VSH) - Infertility in mites:
Constant disturbance inside brood cells reduces the number of viable mite offspring, stabilizing mite populations naturally. - Virus moderation:
Resistant colonies tend to have lower viral loads because infested brood is removed early, preventing mass infection.
Over time, these small, natural adjustments lead to colonies that can sustain themselves without chemical inputs.
Lessons from the UK: The Rise of Treatment-Free Beekeepers
The UK now has an estimated 3,000 treatment-free beekeepers, many managing bees that haven’t been treated in over six years – the gold standard for resistance.
These beekeepers often work with locally adapted bees or feral colonies that have survived without human help. Projects in Wales and northern England show that when local bees are allowed to adapt, resistance can emerge at the regional level.
Dr. Martin’s current focus is on helping more beekeepers transition carefully – balancing science, observation, and patience.
How Beginners Can Support Treatment-Free Beekeeping
If you’re just starting out, it’s tempting to rely on treatments immediately – but there are gentle, practical steps you can take to move toward natural beekeeping responsibly.
1. Start with local bees.
Buy or catch swarms from local, untreated colonies if possible. These bees are already adapted to your climate and may have early resistance traits.
2. Don’t stop treatments all at once.
If you currently treat twice a year, reduce to once. If once, try once every two years. Monitor mite levels regularly as you adjust.
3. Learn to observe brood health.
Watch for recapping patterns and hygienic behaviour – signs your bees are detecting and removing mite-infested cells.
4. Avoid moving colonies long distances.
Local adaptation is key. Avoid importing bees from outside your region, which can dilute resistance traits.
5. Connect with local groups.
Treatment-free or natural beekeeping networks are growing across the UK. Shared data and mentoring can help you transition safely.
The Long-Term View: Let the Bees Do What Bees Do Best
The science behind treatment-free beekeeping is clear: given time, bees can evolve stable relationships with varroa mites. The key is patience, local adaptation, and minimal interference.
As Dr. Martin puts it, “The bees have found the solution – we just have to let them.”
For beginner beekeepers, that means managing colonies thoughtfully, learning to observe rather than control, and trusting nature’s own selective power.