The use of chemicals against varroa mites had already been thoroughly explored by the 1980s
(a) Chemical Control. Chemical control is by far the
most popular method of Varroa control among Asian
beekeepers. Although it creates the risk of honey
contamination, the accumulation of residues within the
hive, and toxic effects on the bees, beekeepers claim
that chemotherapeutic treatment is the quickest and
most reliable method of mite suppression. Among the
commonly-used mite-control agents are a dust mixture
naphthalene and sulphur, phenothiazine (Thiodiphenylamine
Chlorobenzilate (Acar, Folbex), Bromopropylate
(Folhex VA), Amitraz (Mitac, Taktic, 3-methyl-l.5-bis
(2,4-xylyl)-l,3,5-triazapenta-l,4-diene), Varastan
(6-methyl-2,3 quinoxaline dimethyl cyclic carbonate),
Chlordi-meform (Chlorophenamidine N'-(4-chloro-otolyl)-
N-N-dimethylformamidlne), Tedion (Tetradifon
2,4,5,4'-Tetrachlorodiphenyl sulfon), Kelthane (Dicof
l,l-bis (P-chlorophenyl) 2,2,2-trichloroethanol). and
oxalic acid (oxalate).
Nearly all the acaricides listed above can be
used either as hive fumigants or in direct spray on
brood frames.
(b) Control by Hive Manipulation. The Varroa mite
depends on bee brood to complete its development cycle.
Since the mite prefers drone brood to worker brood,
frames of drone cells (prepared by using drone-cell
foundation or by known manipulation techniques) are
given to the colonies, which will rear drone brood on
them. When the cells are sealed, the frames,
containing the mites trapped inside the cells, can be
removed and destroyed.
The mites can also be trapped in worker-brood
frames by using vertical queen-excluders in single storey
hives. The queen is confined between two
excluders and allowed to lay eggs in one frame only.
Female mites in the colony will be attracted to this
brood frame which, when the cells are sealed, is
removed from the colony so that the brood cells
infested by the parasites can be destroyed.
In some countries, this "mite-trapping" approach
is combined with hive fumigation, since it enables the
number of acaricide applications to be reduced.
"Honeybee Diseases and Enemies in Asia: A Practical Guide"
FAO 1987
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