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 *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm