Weapons Against Varroa Destructor
Ross Conrad has done a great job of explaining the different methods of controlling the mite Varroa destructor and keeping it from overwhelming bee hives in his book Natural Beekeeping. Included in the arsenal are grease patties, esential oils, food grade mineral oil, sugar solutions, formic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid and acetic acid.
Grease patties can be formed from white sugar and vegetable oil with honey or essential oil added to the mix in a ratio of two parts oil to one part sugar.1 The grease appears to form a fine film on bees which makes it difficult for mites to retain their footing. Essential oils, when added to the mix, can be toxic to varroa.
A component of thyme oil known as thymol is very deadly to varroa mites although it is safe for humans. Thymol and other essential oils, when evaporated within a hive, can kill off varroa.2
A mixture that includes food grade mineral oil, beeswax, honey and a solution of thymol in alcohol is another mixture that can be used against varroa mites. The mixture, when soaked into cotton cordage, can be placed on top of a brood nest.3
Sugar esters can kill varroa through suffocation and dehydration resulting from the breakdown of a waxy coating of the body of these mites. A commercial product called Sucrocide takes advantage of this and can be used to treat varroa.4
The organic acids- formic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid and acetic acid- when mixed and applied properly, also can serve as effective treatments for varroa. An advantage of using these natural acids is that honey can be kept safe for human consumption.5
References:
1. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 128.
2. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 130-131.
3. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 133.
4. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 134.
5. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 136-139.
Grease patties can be formed from white sugar and vegetable oil with honey or essential oil added to the mix in a ratio of two parts oil to one part sugar.1 The grease appears to form a fine film on bees which makes it difficult for mites to retain their footing. Essential oils, when added to the mix, can be toxic to varroa.
A component of thyme oil known as thymol is very deadly to varroa mites although it is safe for humans. Thymol and other essential oils, when evaporated within a hive, can kill off varroa.2
A mixture that includes food grade mineral oil, beeswax, honey and a solution of thymol in alcohol is another mixture that can be used against varroa mites. The mixture, when soaked into cotton cordage, can be placed on top of a brood nest.3
Sugar esters can kill varroa through suffocation and dehydration resulting from the breakdown of a waxy coating of the body of these mites. A commercial product called Sucrocide takes advantage of this and can be used to treat varroa.4
The organic acids- formic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid and acetic acid- when mixed and applied properly, also can serve as effective treatments for varroa. An advantage of using these natural acids is that honey can be kept safe for human consumption.5
References:
1. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 128.
2. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 130-131.
3. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 133.
4. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 134.
5. Natural Beekeeping; authored by Ross Conrad; Chelsea Green Publishing; Copyrite 2007; Page 136-139.
Labels: Bees
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