This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of controlling essential oils i.e Thymol, Cinnamon and Anise oils with different concentrations compared to 65%
Formic acid in controlling Varroa destructor mites infesting colonies of Apis mellifera during the winter and summer of 2013 season. Randomized complete block design
was applied at this study. The apiary was divided into 7 groups (3 colonies / group). Three application of the oils. Average of Varroa infestation level before treatment
ranged between 21–29 in winter and from 37-47 in summer. The treatments were significantly effective when applied in summer than the winter season and when used
at 30% concentration than those obtained at 15% concentration compared to the control treatment. Average efficacies percentage ranged between 80.95% (Cinnamon
oil 30%) to 86.99 (Thymol 30%) in winter and from 67.46 %(Thymol 30%) to 82.16% (Cinnamon 30%). Thymol oil was the best in winter, however, Cinnamon was the best
in summer. Anise oil 30% was intermediate 80.00 and 77.11% in winter and summer treatments respectively. In concern with the effect of the tested oils on brood rearing
activity, Anise and Cinnamon oils at 30% concentration were the best (74.54 and 74.35 %. respectively) during January – February. However, in significant differences
were found between the tested oils at 30% concentration during August–September. Thymol was the best at 15 % concentration ( 55.38%).However, Cinnamon oil 30% was the best (64.54%) followed by Thymol(56.52%) . |
