Assessing the Efficacy of Organic and Chemical Treatments for Varroa Mite Control in Macedonian Apiaries

Abstract

Varroa destructor infestations pose a significant global threat to honeybee colonies, affecting bee populations and honey production. The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of Apis mellifera L. honeybee colonies under various control methods with a particular focus on critical parameters like mite dewdrop, honey production and colony growth. The study took place in a normal apiary in the Pelister district for a year from April 2021 to March 2022. There were three treatment groups: Group A got Amitraz (a chemical treatment), group M got formic acid (an organic treatment) and group K got nothing (a control group) to see how the treatments affected the bees. Regular monitoring assessed parameters including dropped mites and Varroa infestation levels with honey production evaluated seasonally. The results showed that both chemical and organic treatments successfully decreased the levels of Varroa mite infestation compared to the control group, while also noting differences in colony growth and honey production. The Amitraz treatment did prevent the mites from dropping, but it also slowed down the young's development. On the other hand, the formic acid treatment kept the brood's development healthy, suggesting that it might be a better way to get rid of varroa. This study shows how important it is to think about how treatments affect important colony parameters. It also calls for more research like longterm observations, to fully understand how treatments affect the health, development and longevity of bee families which will eventually lead to the creation of more effective combined pest control methods.