Efficiency of some volatile plant oils in controlling varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman) infesting honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman is a serious pest of honey bees causing severe losses in colonies worldwide. Volatile plant oils of thymol, menthol, eugenol and camphor as well as methyl salicylate were tested against varroa mite in honey bee colonies during winter and summer seasons of 2009-2010. To evaluate these treatments, counts of fallen mites and dead bees were recorded. In addition, sealed brood area was measured in the tested colonies at 12-days intervals. Results showed that all treatments were effective against varroa in treated colonies as compared to untreated ones. The relative efficiency % of the treatments were 72.40, 62.10, 65.10, 64.71 and 57.58 in summer treatment, and 60.87, 46.60, 58.82, 47.79 and 42.30 in winter treatment for thymol, menthol, eugenol, camphor and methyl salicylate, respectively.

Summary in Arabic.

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