Mexico is one of the top five bee-producing countries worldwide and the second in exportation. However, the beekeepers can see their production being affected by the attack of a parasite, the Varroa acari, a type of mite, which feeds on hemolymph of the bees. Currently, the control methods employed are of synthetic origin, but face the main problem of generating resistance in the acari, which reduces the control’s effectiveness; in addition, is not rare to find traces of it in the bee wax and honey. A press release issued November 25, 2013, said that research by the National Institute of Forest, Agricultural, and Livestock Research (INIFAP), indicated that not treating the colonies infested by Varroa acari can lead to a 65 per cent loss in production in comparison to colonies where the acari is controlled. Seeing this disparity, researchers from the INIFAP talked to the beekeepers about organic control of the pest employing powdered thymol, which is easy to employ and cheaper. In addition, the acari doesn’t develop resistance to it nor does it generate residue on honey or bee wax if generated properly. Dr. Miguel Arechavaleta Velasco, head of research at the INIFAP, explains that Varroa is an acari that feeds on bee hemolymph; like a tick, it produces a disease in the colony called varroasis that can kill entire hives, being the main problem that beekeepers face worldwide. “Among the organic products that we have studied, thymol has given encouraging results; it’s an essential oil obtain from thyme. There are commercial thymol-based products for Varroa control, but we developed a different application form, resulting in easier and cheaper (administration by) the beekeeper.” The proposed method consists in using powdered thymol mixed with powdered sugar.Login Or Register To Read Full Story