Application of formic acid against Varroa destructor in spring using infrared heaters in the beehives

Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Ralitsa Balkanska, Maia Ignatova

Abstract: The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of formic acid on Varroa destructor, applied in the spring using an infrared heater in the beehive. The experiment was conducted on three biological apiaries – 1, 2 and 3, located in Veliko Tarnovo region. Two groups of bee colonies were formed – experimental and control. Each group consists of 6 bee colonies. All bee colonies are equipped with a temperature probe (for temperature measurement in °C). The bee coloniesfrom the experimental group had infrared heater in the upper part of the frames, that were not covered with bees. Each bee colony from the control and experimental groups was treated with 20 ml 60% formic acid applied on a cellulose material. The results of study show that the application of 60% formic acid together with an infrared heater in April, leads to an effective reduction of the population of the Varroa destructor mite in theapiaries. Early spring effective treatment of bee colonies against Varroa destructor would reduce bee colony losses and increase production in beekeeping.

Keywords: formic acid; honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera L.); infrared heater; temperature probe; Varroa destructor

Date published: 2023-06-28