The control of Varroa destructor using oxalic acid.
Twenty-four honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies were used to monitor the efficacy of a solution of 2.9% oxalic acid (OA) and 31.9% sugar against the mite Varroa destructor. Mite mortality was established prior to and after OA treatments, which were conducted in August and September. The treatments resulted in 37% mite mortality as opposed to 1.11% in the controls. OA treatment conducted in September on previously untreated colonies resulted in 25% mite mortality. OA treatments in October and November resulted in approximately 97% mite mortality. These results suggest that OA is effective during the broodless period and less effective when applied to colonies with capped broods. The possible use of OA against the Varroa mite in honeybee colonies as an alternative to routine chemical treatments is discussed.
Gregorc
Ales
A
Veterinary Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, 100 Ljubljana, Slovenia. ales.gregorc@vf.uni-lj.si
Planinc
I
I
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000469:parasitology*; D008925:Mites; D009026:Mortality; D019815:Oxalic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D019163:Reducing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012098:Reproduction
D019163:Reducing Agents; D019815:Oxalic Acid