[Alternative varroa control system [Switzerland]]
1996
Imdorf, A. (Eidg. Forschungsanstalt fuer Milchwirtschaft (FAM), Liebefeld (Switzerland)) | Charriere, J.-D. | Maquelin, Ch. | Kilchenmann, V. | Bachofen, B.
The rapid and almost worldwide spreading of the new bee parasite Varroa jacobsoni in the past years has changed beekeeping practice. In order to avoid colony losses, annual varroa treatment is required under Central European conditions. Up to now the highly effective pyrethroids have mainly been used. Application is simple and not too labour-intensive. However, the future use of these products is questionable due to the formation of resistant mites, as in Italy and the canton of Ticino. The repeated application of other persistant varroacide causes increasing residues in wax and to a lesser extent also in honey. Under these circumstances the long term quality of bee products will deteriorate. Alternative varroa control leads the way out of this problem. The active substances used here are either organic acids or components of essential oils. They are widespread in nature and some of them also occur in honey. A treatment concept has to be followed when using these substances. Biotechnical measures for the reduction of the varroa population have to be combined with an optimum application of the products and control of treatment efficiency. As for the organic acids, no residue problems should arise when applied properly. Accumulation in wax does not occur. During treatment with essential oils, however, residues accumulate in the wax and subsequently evaporate to a great part. The residues in honey are small and not important from a toxicological point of view
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