I haven't looked at a single hive in about 6 weeks now. This is the longest I've gone without checking up on the ladies, but everything was looking good last I checked. This time of year the varroa mite becomes a significant concern but I think my hives will pull through another year without any treatments. Every hive is new this year or had a lengthy break in the brood cycle earlier in the year to keep mite numbers down. This is how the Russian honeybee keeps varroa in check, when there aren't any young bees in the hive the varroa mite can't reproduce.
The best part about this break is that I'm proving what I claim, that beekeeping doesn't have to be a lot of work. The bees know how to keep their hive healthy and they know how to put away honey for the winter. I enjoy working with them but it is good to know that I don't have to.
Of course, when I do open them up next, I may be eating these words. Without any honey.
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