Other Strains

Other Strains

Buckfast Bees

Buckfast bees are a hybrid from southwestern England and are readily available in the United States.

They are more resistant to tracheal mites than other bee strains and also better suited to cool climates.

Russian Bees

Russian bees have been exposed to Varroa mites in their native homeland over a long period of time and have developed a natural resistance to them. The USDA carefully selected and imported Russian queens into the United States. Russian colonies were created and evaluated in isolation before being released to commercial breeders to be propagated. Russian queens are now available to be purchased from Russian queen breeders.

Hygienic Bees

Hygienic bees, specifically Minnesota hygienic bees, have been selected for improved hygienic behavior. Good hygiene--specifically hive cleaning and the removal of dead or dying brood--rids colonies more quickly of potentially harmful pathogens, which cause disease. This strain of bees is considered disease resistant. Some level of resistance to varroa mites is also associated with this line of bees.

Good hygiene helps rid colonies of potentially harmful pathogens, which cause disease.

VSH (Varroa sensitive hygienic) is a line of hygienic bee that is particularly sensitive to varroa mites and their removal.

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