Why I treated my bees with formic acid - Beginner beekeeping

Responding to a lot of hate in the comments last week... I have explained my decision several times and I hope I don't need to do it again.

[vinofarm]

All that being said, I'm totally fine. I'm actually surprised it took this long for the hate to arrive. I just needed to get this off my chest. Moving forward now...

[EvilSlth]

fact is... those people who dont wanna treat their bees... those are the people that allowed the varroa mites to spread around the world.

[foldissimo]

in Germany, you don 't have this problem. Here, the treatment against Varroa is required by law.
You did an excellent job. Only a dead varroa is a good varroa :-) Listen to your feeling and not to other Youtubers..

[rtenpin]

Keep on doing what you're doing! You're doing great. Your bees. Your time. Your investment. Your needs. Your desired outcome. Yours period. I get grief too. I actually had someone confront me on my choice of powdered sugar of all things.

[jaredconley]

Your are a year ahead of me and I've been trying to learn all I can before my bees arrive next spring. So I was grateful to have discovered your channel. I've appreciated viewing this experience with you and I'm still watching. Good luck.

[jamjams]

I'm a subscriber, and I watch your channel because i'm going to start my hive next year, as for your choice to treat, I suggested not to, but then said I would try and determine  how many bee's you have per mites you seen, but i'm glad you treated. one can assume from what you just did if you see 1 mite there is probably 100 more you can't see, and we learned this by watching you. So keep up the videos I also want to see how you winterize the hive, I suggested before you might look at water heater/ water tank wraps they might be cheaper

[OkieRob]

I thought you gave an excellent explanation on why and how you were treating in the other video. I treated mine also for the same reason.

[felipegomez]

Hello
I'm a beekeeper since 2004 (an agronomist also), just want to congratulate you for your "journey in beekeeping " and how well you explain your situation and decisions.
I agree with you 100%.
Keep working, learning and sharing .

Kind regards from Chile

[bradaverette]

Your plan for the future is solid. You have every right to keep your hive healthy. You're an inspiration to me as I begin my beekeeping with 2 flow hives and 2 colonies. Thanks so much for your honest and vulnerable sharing of your experiences.

[Wulferious]

Wow. I'm glad I missed all that hate. Well done video, well spoken. Keep going the way you are going. You have an open mind, and that is the best way to learn and grow. Let the vicious commentary go where it deserves. Too much hate in the world. Whatever happened to common courtesy, honor, and respect?

Keep up the good work, and the real people are going to stick around.

[janetkouma]

I find you to be an excellent speaker and appreciate each video you make.. your bees are fortunate to have you ! Anyway, you are one of my top 3 favorite bee you tube producers. just wanted you to know. I love that you are real and that you are honest.

[heyhoneybee]

I got bees 39 days ago now, because of your videos. Thanks. It has been one of the best decisions and experiences of my life.

I am on the side of not treating.

However the decision you made was absolutely the right one, not because of the reasons you made(although they are correct and valid) but because it was your decision, for your bees, in your hive. You researched, asked for opinions and made your decision.

Sadly you were always going to get Trolls over this one it is such a divisive issue. Just remember all of us who love your videos.

Your "Beekeeper Fail" video is one of my favorites because you showed us newbies its ok to fail and still succeed.

 Thanks for your videos, my only complaint is that I have to wait a whole week for the next one.

[paulgaron]

I am sorry to hear that you have had to have this experience, I am a well seasoned Canadian beekeeper, and i agree that people need to share, saw your first blog this morning, and i believe we have to take care of our bees and formic acid is as natural as it comes. people that do not help clean by treating are helping to spread varroa. I have subscribed and i want to keep up with the learnings. As you learn I will pick up some learnings and realizations also. Keep it up

[David-zhsw]

Thanks for sharing all your learning with us. This has been my year of learning without bees before I get hives next year and I've really benefited from watching your videos. You're right on to say that it's not ok to be uncivil in anyway. As you've so describe, all beekeeping is local. Keep up the great work and I can't wait until you're next video!

[davidmarks]

There are a lot of new bee keepers out there that have formed an opinion based on YouTube and Google. I've been a bee keeper for many years and used to believe in the don't treat method but after loosing almost all my hives one winter to mites I had change of heart.

Now I will use what ever method is necessary to keep my bees healthy including treating with formic acid and using other practices, including working on developing strains of bees that are highly hygienic.

Formic acid is a compound that is natural. It is produced by bees and ants. It is present in honey and in the hive already.

I enjoy your

[michaelv]

Been beekeeping for 10 years and I’m still learning.

I want formic pro to work for me. I used it in the past and had hives go queenless. I think maybe it’s not good to use it on weak hives. I think I might try it again on the strong hives that are filling supers. On weaker hives during the flow, I think I’ll try apiguard because they aren’t bringing in sufficient nectar anyways. I treat again during winter with apivar and the apivar works great for a preswarm season mite knock down.

[donaldlippert]

Great rationale. You show a good understanding of both sides of the matter. Your videos are helpful to me ... a new backyard beekeeper. Thx. 🐝🐝🐝

[BDR-mh]

Well done Mate, I have always enjoyed your vids, i am also a novices beekeeper also, I don't have problems with varroa, but i have see so many people treat the same way, so well done look after your bees look after your colony... and other colonies.
cheers

[nolashadows]

I just love your videos man. I personally do not have any bees but just from watching your videos really makes me want to start.

[Emeronite]

your not the only one who is emotionally attached to your bees after watching all of your videos I kinda feel emotionally attached to your hive as well