How to Pick a Breeder Queen for Treatment-Free Beekeeping - Beekeeping 101

Learn about selecting breeder queens and meet a treatment-free queen named Viplidoo in this 31-minute beekeeping tutorial. Discover the essential traits for successful queen genetics, including varroa mite resistance, virus immunity, and strong overwintering capabilities in northern climates. Explore how to evaluate queens based on their ability to survive with minimal food stores, maintain productive colonies without chemical treatments, and consistently produce daughters that inherit beneficial maternal traits. Gain insights from a 6-year breeding program focused on developing stable genetic lines for sustainable beekeeping practices. Master the fundamentals of queen selection for both hobbyist beekeepers and those interested in treatment-free beekeeping approaches.