I "Treat" my bees all the time. Every chance I get. ;)
I try to use the right equipment, the right management, the right genetics, etc. While I don't use chemicals, I do treat my bees.
Way too many beekeepers treat with chemicals, then somehow equate stopping the use of chemicals with doing nothing.
Not using chemicals means using other "treatments" in one way or another. But NOBODY should NOT TREAT bees.
I'll give you an example.....if you are using ANY swarm prevention, you are negatively impacting that hive by not allowing the process of what bees do naturally in a hive. Swarming, brood breaks, first year queens, all give the bees a natural ability to control mites. Take away that ability, then you better compensate for this in your management.
Add in the fact that bees in nature (feral colonies) almost NEVER reach the bee numbers (50,000 - 60,000) or utilize the massive volume space we provide by adding supers, then as a beekeeper, we should figure that we are also creating circumstances that goes against what bees would do naturally in combating such things as mites, and other problems.
This whole notion that beekeepers should not "Treat" their bees is many times translated into beekeepers going from one year of treating, then the next year doing nothing. The ole' "El Naturale" system, of hands off and watch the bees die.....after creating situations where they could not replace their queen, they were manipulated into mega colonies, and toyed with by beekeeper intervention.
I really wish this whole "Non-treatment" statement was not used. For many, it just is assumed this means doing absolutely nothing.
Treat your bees....you bet!
Chemicals....No way!