Evaluation of efficiency of thyme oil, Cinnamomum verum, melaleuca viridiflora, syzygium aromaticum essential oils, and amitraz for varroa mite (Acari: Varroidae) control in honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies under field conditions

Abstract

Varroosis is a disease that can be observed in all life stages of honey bees and causes serious clinical findings in infested hives. This study aimed to investigate and compare the efficiency of thyme oil, Cinnamomum verum, Melaleuca viridiflora, Syzygium aromaticum essential oils, and amitraz against Varroosis in the field. After the essential oils were dissolved in glycerin, they were impregnated on strips and applied by placing them between frames. Amitraz was applied by fumigation. Positive and phoretic Varroa negative control groups were also included. Treatments were applied once a week for four weeks during the autumn season. The rates of acaricide efficacy and weekly mite count per bottom frame were determined for each of the treatments. According to the results, the highest effectiveness against Varroosis was detected in the amitraz treatment group at 81.3%. The C. verum treatment group had the highest efficacy of all the essential oil treatment groups at 73.5%. The efficacies in thyme oil, M. viridiflora, and S. aromaticum essential oils treatment groups were 71.9%, 71.3%, and 67.4%, respectively. According to the findings of the study, natural extracts can be used instead of chemical drugs in the fight against Varroosis. No toxicity or unnatural death was observed in honey bees throughout the study.