Hi Baker, that is some profound oa queen info there. I always wonder about the bees eyes with the 21 day oa treatment.
Ted, for years I had the same Italian genetics, these queens were amazing layers. However, as the genetics kept repeating itself over the years, the swarming and cast swarming were getting out of control.. in addition to unexpected mite explosions a couple times a summer, which resulted in deformed wing virus. It was getting to be too much of a load to keep up with the hives. The seasoned beeks in our area kept telling me to requeen with new genetics. I'm stubborn and didn't pay much attention, I have a hard time pinching queens.
Last year was crazy so I decided to requeen :'( with some hybrid queens that come up from lower/upper Calif. The breeders selling point being hygenic, peaceful, winter hardy, gentle bees.
What A Difference! Not one swarm! and I have only detected 20 mites all summer. I watch my sticky board weekly. When I see ONE mite, I treat all my hives. So far I have only had to treat with oa twice. And that is just once not a series of 4 treatments. So the hives got one shot of oa … 2 times this summer. What a relief