ERADICATING VARROA MITES (VARROA DESTRUCTOR) BY SPRAYING CLOVE TEA
Keywords:
Clove tea, Varroa mites, Varroa destructor, Honey bee, Organic bee treatment
Abstract
This study is a field experiment of using clove tea as an effective treatment against varroa mites (Varroa destructor), by spraying the tea directly on all the frames in the beehive. Two experiments were conducted, one for 14 weeks, with an application of clove tea once every 2 weeks and the other for 8 weeks with an application once per week. In both experiments after 6 applications, the tea-treated varroa-infected beehives were completely varroa-free, concluding complete eradication.
References
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5. Girisgin A.O., Barel S., Barzilai D.Z. & Girisgin O. (2014) Determining the stability of clove oil (eugenol) for use as an acaricide in beeswax. Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 69(4), 192-196.
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8. Parle, Milind & Khanna, Deepa. (2010). Clove: A champion spice. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy. 2 (1), 47-54. ISSN 2229-3566
9. Rangel, J., & Tarpy, D.R. (2015). The combined effects of miticides on the mating health of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) queens. Efectos combinados de acaricidas en la salud reproductiva de las reinas de la abeja de la miel (Apis mellifera L.), Apicultural Research, 54(3), 275-283. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2016.1147218
10. Rodriguez-Dehaibes, S.R., Otero-Colina G., Sedas, V.P. & Jimenez, J.A.V. (2005). Resistance to amitraz and flumethrin in Varroa destructor populations from Veracruz, Mexico. Apicultural Research 44(3), 124-125. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2005.11101162
11. Ruffinengo, S.R., Eguaras, M.J., Rodriguez D.E., Bedascarrasbure, E., Bailac, P.N., & Ponzi, M. (2002). Biological activity of Heterotheca latifolia essential oil against varroa jacobosni. Essential Oil Research 14(6):462-464. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2002.9699921
12. Skinner, J.A., Parkman J.P., & Studer M.D.(2001). Evaluation of honey bee miticides, including temporal and thermal effects on formic acid gel vapours, in the central south-eastern USA. Apicultural Research, 40(3-4), 81-89. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2001.11101055
2. Ebert, T.A., Kevan, P.G., Bishop, B.L., Kevan, S.D. & Downer, R.A. (2007). Oral toxicity of essential oils and organic acids fed to honey bees (Apis mellifera). Toxicidad oral de aceites esenciales y ácidos orgánicos en la alimentación de la abeja de la miel (Apis mellifera). Apicultural Research, 46(4), 220-224. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2007.11101398
3. Elzen, P.J., Stipanovic, R. & Rivera, R. (2001). Activity of two preparation of natural smoke products on the behaviour of Varroa jacobosni Oud. American Bee Journal. 141(4). 289-291.
4. Gashout, H.A. & Guzman-Novoa, E. (2009). Acute toxicity of essential oils and other natural compounds to the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, and to larval and adult worker honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) Toxicidad aguda a aceites esenciales y otros compuestos naturales del ácaro parásito Varroa destructor y de larvas y abejas obreras de abejas (Apis mellifera L.). 48(4), 263-269. https://doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.48.4.06
5. Girisgin A.O., Barel S., Barzilai D.Z. & Girisgin O. (2014) Determining the stability of clove oil (eugenol) for use as an acaricide in beeswax. Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 69(4), 192-196.
6. Kadhim, H. M., Hadi, M.H. & Hassoni, A.A., (2021). Study of the effectiveness of essential oils (anise, clove) and Bacillus thuringienesis in controlling Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) on honey bees Apis mellifera. Bionatura, 13. http://dx.doi.org/10.21931/RB/xxx
7. Li, L., Lin, Z.G., Wang, S., Su, X. L., Gong, H.R., Li, H.l., Hu, F.L., & Zheng H.Q. (2017). The effects of clove oil on the enzyme activity of Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Arachnida: Acari: Varroidae). Saudi Journal of Biology Sciences 24(5): 996–1000. https://doi.org 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.01.052
8. Parle, Milind & Khanna, Deepa. (2010). Clove: A champion spice. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy. 2 (1), 47-54. ISSN 2229-3566
9. Rangel, J., & Tarpy, D.R. (2015). The combined effects of miticides on the mating health of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) queens. Efectos combinados de acaricidas en la salud reproductiva de las reinas de la abeja de la miel (Apis mellifera L.), Apicultural Research, 54(3), 275-283. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2016.1147218
10. Rodriguez-Dehaibes, S.R., Otero-Colina G., Sedas, V.P. & Jimenez, J.A.V. (2005). Resistance to amitraz and flumethrin in Varroa destructor populations from Veracruz, Mexico. Apicultural Research 44(3), 124-125. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2005.11101162
11. Ruffinengo, S.R., Eguaras, M.J., Rodriguez D.E., Bedascarrasbure, E., Bailac, P.N., & Ponzi, M. (2002). Biological activity of Heterotheca latifolia essential oil against varroa jacobosni. Essential Oil Research 14(6):462-464. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2002.9699921
12. Skinner, J.A., Parkman J.P., & Studer M.D.(2001). Evaluation of honey bee miticides, including temporal and thermal effects on formic acid gel vapours, in the central south-eastern USA. Apicultural Research, 40(3-4), 81-89. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2001.11101055
Published
2025-01-27
Section
Articles
