The effectiveness of systemic agents used to control the mite, Varroa jacobsoni, in colonies of the honey bee, Apis mellifera depends on food distribution patterns

Abstract

Applying a sugar solution by sprinkling a colony was found to cause a faster and more even distribution among the colony members than applying the agent in a feeding-jar, but the effectiveness was lower and the contamination of combs and top bars was higher. Trophallaxis is of minor importance for obtaining an even distribution of a systemic agent in a bee colony. -from Authors