I've studied Beekeeping A LOT - especially in the past 2 years. I've only learned 1 thing for sure so far, ... that I've finally reached part of 1 step above knowing nothing about Bees ... so your thoughts and advice are most welcome! Here goes:
Every beek I know personally is TOTALLY Treatment Free (TF). When I say "TF", I mean, No inspections, No meeting, No Bee Clubs, No fanatics, No Books, No opinions, ... just, "I have bees", successfully I might add. ... I had bees too - they died.
I would like to be TF, but after losing 4 hives (100%) 2 years ago, and nearly losing 4 more this year, I figure Randy Oliver has a point: Monitor, and Treat if needed, ... until I can confidently be TF.
I've had the pleasure to tour 2 TF Apiaries locally. Both have several traits in common (that I observed): Qty 1 - 10 frame deep, under 1 or 2 med supers. Purchased foundation. No QE. Hives TOTALLY PACKED with bees. I mean - during the day with all foragers out in the field, its Standing-Room-Only folks! Supers need a Forklift to be separated, and that's no joke. Drones are packed in between Boxes in Beespace everywhere. Swarming is normal.
The most interesting observation I had, was many bees in these hives seemed to have nothing to do. Just standing around inside the hive looking healthy as all get-out - (I've had the displeasure of learning what "Un-healthy" looks like).
All of this got me thinking - What importance does having a hive Totally Packed with Bees play ... in TF? or otherwise? Do bored bees begin to groom more, once all of the other duties of the hive are properly accounted for? - is it more important than is currently emphasized?
Mr. Bush - touches on this subject (Thank you Sir!). ... Your thoughts? ...