Comparison of the acaricides BAYVAROL® (i.a. flumetrine) and Apilife Var (i.a. menthol, thymol, alcamphor y eucalyptol) for the spring control of Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman

Abstract

Varroa disease is considered to be economically the most important honeybee disease world-wide. In Chile, only two products are registered to control varroa disease, Bayvarol (flumetrine) and Amivar (amitraz). Therefore it is necessary to investigate new control alternatives and to widen the range of usable products, to allow the use of acaricides with different sites and modes of action. There is also the possibility of using chemistry treatments alternated with essential oils or organic acids. In an attempt to evaluate alternative possibilities for varroa control, a study was carried out to determine the efficacy of varroa disease control and the effect of the commercial products Bayvarol and Apilife Var on the honeybee colony. Results showed that both treatments, reduce the levels of infestation, being statiscally similars and different to control (P>0.05 level). Varroa falling was higher for Apilife Var., being which was different to Bayvarol and the control treatment. Apilife Var was found to be more effective (90%), being statiscally different that Bayvarol (69%). Neither product had a detrimental effect on the honeybee colony.