Alternative control of the varroosis
1997
Colin, M.E. (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Avignon (France). Dept. de Phytopharmacie)
In order to avoid the permanent and long use of synthesis acaricides, different alternatives have been proposed. Among plant or animal products, and among some molecules authorised in organic agriculture, organic acids and aromatic plants extracts are already developed in beehives. Formic acid, present naturally in the honey in high contents, is used in evaporation for one or two days or in slow evaporation for several days. If the quantity of evaporated acid ranges from 7 to 10 gr per day, the average efficiency of the acaricide overpasses 95 per cent, without serious disturbances in the colony. However, nowadays no evaporation system guarantees this result, regardless of weather conditions or hive structure. Essential aromatic oils, containing thymol, menthol or camphor, or these molecules themselves, are good acaricides when they are used under correct conditions. These vary depending on the region and climate, something that explains the need to have complementary experiments in Mediterranean hives in order to optimise the use of such substances. Today these alternatives to chemical control can only be used if we can estimate the level of parasitic infestation of colonies at the end of the treatment.
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