Efficiency of some botanical products in controlling Varroa mite infesting honeybee colonies.

TLDR: In this article, the efficiency of camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol and formic acid (60 %) as control agents against Varroa mite infesting honeybee colonies was evaluated.

Abstract: The present investigation was carried out in the apiary of Beekeeping Research Department, Plant Protection Research Institute at Zagazig, Sharkia Governorate during 2007 season, to evaluate the efficiency of camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol and formic acid (60 %) as control agents against Varroa mite infesting honeybee colonies. Data obtained could be summarized as follows: 1Mite infestation was reduced by 69.01, 48.92, 75.95 and 90.12 % when the colonies were treated with camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol crystals and formic acid, respectively. 2The infested workers suffered 21.87 % reduction in body weight while treating infested colonies with camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol crystals and formic acid decreased the reduction in body weight to 11.84, 13.87, 5.91 and 2.63 %, respectively. 3-Varroa infested colonies showed severe reduction (47.96 %) in the sealed brood area reared as compared to that of healthy ones. Treating infested colonies with the test control agents decreased the reduction taken place in sealed brood area, as it attained 20.85, 29.58, 15.69 and 13.11 % for the treated colonies with test agents, respectively. 4The mean annual honey yield (citrus and clover) of healthy, Varroa infested (non treated) colonies and those treated with camphor salt, peppermint extract, thymol crystals and formic acid recorded 8.06, 3.01, 5.77, 4.94, 6.53 and 7.15 kg/colony, respectively. The respective percentages of reduction in honey yield were 62.66, 28.41, 38.71, 18.98 and 11.29 %.