The Rise of Treatment-Free Queen Breeding: A Journey in Resilient Genetics
- Mike James
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Beekeeping has long faced a persistent challenge: controlling Varroa mites without harming the bees or relying heavily on chemical treatments. For years, many believed that treatment-free beekeeping was impossible in colder climates with long winters and high mite pressure. Yet, a quiet revolution has been unfolding, led by small-scale breeders who refused to treat their bees and instead focused on selecting genetics that could survive and thrive despite the mites. This post explores how treatment-free queen breeding has grown from a niche idea into a recognized and profitable approach, and what it really means for beekeepers today.
The Early Skepticism Around Treatment-Free Beekeeping
Back in 2015, the prevailing wisdom in Minnesota and Wisconsin bee clubs was clear: treatment-free beekeeping was a pipe dream. The winters were too harsh, and Varroa mites too aggressive. Most beekeepers believed that without chemical treatments, colonies would not survive the winter. This view was widespread and deeply ingrained.
Yet, a few stubborn beekeepers began experimenting with a different approach. They stopped treating their hives and started selecting queens from colonies that survived naturally. These small-scale breeders worked quietly, grafting hundreds of queens each year and sharing their stock with friends and local beekeepers. Their goal was not to revolutionize beekeeping but to find a sustainable way to keep bees healthy without chemicals.
How Treatment-Free Queens Became a Market Item
Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has shifted dramatically. Major package producers and regional queen breeders now offer treatment-free or mite-resistant queens as a premium option, often charging $15 to $35 more per queen. These queens are marketed under labels like “Treatment-Free,” “Pol-Line,” or “VSH” (Varroa Sensitive Hygiene).
What’s striking is that most of these queens descend from the same survivor stock that small breeders have been cultivating for over a decade. The genetics behind these bees were not discovered overnight. Instead, they have been quietly selected and refined through years of careful breeding without treatment.
This shift shows that treatment-free genetics have become profitable to talk about, and more beekeepers are willing to invest in queens that promise better mite resistance. The market now recognizes the value of these genetics, even if the marketing sometimes overstates their capabilities.
What Treatment-Free Genetics Actually Do
It’s important to understand that treatment-free queens are not magic. They do not eliminate Varroa mites or guarantee that colonies will never die. Instead, these queens carry traits that improve the colony’s ability to manage mite populations naturally. Here’s how:
Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH): Bees with this trait detect and remove mite-infested pupae from the hive, interrupting the mite’s reproductive cycle.
Grooming Behavior: Some bees actively bite and remove mites from themselves and their hive mates.
Suppressed Mite Reproduction: Certain genetic lines reduce the number of viable female mites that emerge, slowing population growth.
When enough worker bees express these traits strongly, the mite population grows slowly enough that the colony can survive through fall and winter without collapsing. This is a probability shift, not a cure. The genetics improve the odds of survival but do not guarantee it.
The Role of Small-Scale Breeders in Genetic Selection
Small breeders who graft 800 to 1,000 queens a year play a crucial role in this process. By refusing to treat and selecting only from colonies that survive naturally, they apply strong selective pressure on the bees. Over time, this leads to a population that is better adapted to local conditions and mite challenges.
These breeders often sell queens within a limited geographic area, ensuring that the genetics remain well-suited to the local climate and environment. They also share stock with trusted friends and fellow beekeepers who understand the importance of maintaining untreated lines.
This grassroots approach contrasts with large-scale commercial operations that may prioritize uniformity and volume over genetic diversity and local adaptation.
Practical Considerations for Beekeepers Interested in Treatment-Free Queens
If you are considering treatment-free or mite-resistant queens, keep these points in mind:
Understand the Genetics: Look for queens bred specifically for VSH, grooming, or suppressed mite reproduction traits.
Local Adaptation Matters: Choose queens from breeders in your region or similar climates to improve survival chances.
Expect Variation: Not every colony will survive without treatment, even with resistant genetics. Be prepared for losses and ongoing selection.
Combine with Good Management: Treatment-free genetics work best when combined with strong hive management practices, such as regular inspections and good nutrition.
Avoid Overhyped Claims: No queen can guarantee a mite-free hive. Genetics shift probabilities, not certainties.
The Future of Treatment-Free Beekeeping
The rise of treatment-free queen breeding shows that sustainable beekeeping without chemicals is possible, even in challenging climates. As more beekeepers adopt these genetics and share their experiences, the collective knowledge will grow.
This approach encourages a deeper understanding of bee biology and genetics, moving away from quick fixes toward long-term solutions. It also highlights the value of small-scale breeders who focus on resilience and adaptation rather than mass production.
For beekeepers looking to reduce chemical use and support healthier colonies, treatment-free queens offer a promising path forward. The key is patience, careful selection, and realistic expectations.
What we are doing about it
We started out with a few different linages that we grow our stock off of, and we utilize Cold hardy genetics that have proven mite resistance in all our packages and nucs by using Latshaw daughters off of breeder queens raised in Ohio. When we have extra we offer our own survivor stock queens later in the Summer off our open mated queens. If you are interested in trying our package bees out, we sell honey bee packages and nucs in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and will ship to some of the surrounding states.
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