Abstract
Experiments to control honey bee tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi Rennie) infestations with three weekly consecutive fumigations by amitraz were conducted at two sites in Israel. Treatment significantly reduced bee and colony infestations for at least two months at both sites, effectiveness being evident at one site for eight months post-treatment. In a separate assay amitraz caused almost 100% mite mortality, concomitant with an abrupt decrease in the rate of bee infestation. We hypothesize that in addition to killing the mite, amitraz may also act as a repellent to the pest. No adverse effects of fumigation on bee populations or sealed brood area were recorded. Fumigation by amitraz is nowadays used by most Israeli beekeepers and the only mite damage currently reported has been from untreated colonies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 599-602 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | American Bee Journal |
| Volume | 137 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| State | Published - Aug 1997 |