Controlling Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) in honeybee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies by using Thymovar® and BeeVital®

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of Thymovar® and BeeVital® on reducing Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) damage in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies in spring season. Average percentage of Varroa infestation level was determined as 24.27 on adult workers before the treatments. The drugs were applied two times on 25 September and 16 October 2006. Average percentage of Varroa infestation levels were determined as 5.18%, 10.78% and 35.45% after the first application, 1.90%, 7.05% and 61.15% after the second application in Thymovar®, BeeVital® and control groups, respectively. Average efficacies of Thymovar® and BeeVital® were found to be 96.91% and 88.66%, respectively. Difference between drug efficacies on Varroa mite was found significant (P<0.01). There was no queen, brood and adult honeybee mortality in all group colonies during the research.