A strategy for using powdered sugar to reduce varroa populations in honey bee colonies

Authors

Nicholas P. Aliano, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Marion D. Ellis, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2005

Comments

Published in Journal of Apicultural Research 44(2): 54–57 (2005). Copyright 2005 International Bee Research Association.

Abstract

We developed a technique to remove varroa (Varroa destructor) from adult honey bees (Apis mellifera) using powdered sugar. Our technique requires isolating a colony’s adult bee population in a detachable box prior to powdered sugar application. We designed a detachable ‘bee box’ that connects to the colony’s entrance and is capable of holding the adult bee population. By applying a bee repellent, Bee Go®, to a colony, we forced adult bees into the bee box where they were subsequently dusted with 225 g of powdered sugar. Adult honey bee populations treated in this manner dropped 76.7 ± 3.6% (n = 28) of their mites.