Experiment 1

Section 3: Evaluation of non-chemical methods for the management of Varroa and Nosema

Deliverable P3.1: Evaluation of the use of strips

Implementing body of the Deliverable: Thymos Beekeeping Cooperative

Objective of the experiment

In this experiment, a comparison was made between commercial strips Apitraz (active substance amitraz) and Bayvarol (active substance flumethrin) on the market and homemade oxalic acid strips to determine whether and to what extent oxalic acid strips are effective relative to commercial products.

Conclusion

The conclusion drawn from this experiment is that homemade oxalic acid strips are as effective as the approved Apitraz strips available on the Greek market and containing the active substance amitraz. The Bayvarol preparation appears to have no effectiveness, which is consistent with the view that pyrethroids have lost their effectiveness against Varroa.

Additionally, it was observed that the inspector’s colonies, as well as those treated with Bayvarol, did not develop, remaining stagnated at 5 frames. In contrast, the colonies subjected to the other two interventions developed and reached 8 frames with population. Likely, the Varroa infestation in the early stages prevented their development.