Study of the Efficacy of Oxalic Acid and Thymovar (Thymol) against the Parasitic Mite of the Honey Bee, Varroa destrutor

Abstract

Varroasis is a dangerous pathogen of the honey bee caused by the mite Varroa destructor, the aim of this work is to assess the effectiveness of two natural products (oxalic acid and thymol) in the fight against varroasis. The experiment covered 40 colonies in the central region of Algeria. Two doses of oxalic acid were used: 30 and 45 grams per liter of sugar syrup. For thymol (Thymovar), two treatments were carried out: ½ strip with one and two applications for each group of colonies. The 1/2 strip formulation in two applications at an interval of two weeks apart seems the most effective; the 45 gm solution of oxalic acid has a higher efficacy compared to that of 30 gm, that the effectiveness of oxalic acid is directly linked to the presence of brood at the time of the intervention. these two treatments are of control measure to be integrated by beekeepers as part of an alternative control strategy