Published December 23, 2025 | Version v1
Journal article Open

CONTROL OF VARROA DESTRUCTOR WITH DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF ESSENTIAL OILS

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
  • 2. Primavet-Sofia" LTD

Contributors

  • 1. ROR icon University of Forestry

Description

The parasitic mite, Varroa destructor is a major agent responsible for the decline of honey bee colonies Apis mellifera worldwide. In recent years, various essential oils, alone or in combination, have been used against varroosis. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of some of the essential oils used in beekeeping (peppermint, pine and cedar) for the control of V. destructor. The experiments included 11 apiaries located in three regions of the country. Nine (9) different combinations of the listed essential oils were prepared and tested. During the treatment, were monitored the effectiveness against the mite, tolerance and safety in the treated colonies. After evaluating the results obtained, we settled on the combination of essential oils (CEO)-9 / SetOil. This combination can be used as a method in integrated pest management and also when introduc-ing/receiving a new queen bee by unifying the smell in the bee colony.

Files

VM-10_2-2025(19)-57-64.pdf

Files (315.2 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:416b68b8242e68882bbec32c931b1cd1
315.2 kB Preview Download

Additional details

Identifiers

URL
https://scij-tmvm.com/vol./vol.10/2/VM-10_2-2025(19)-57-64.pdf

Dates

Issued
2025-12-21

References

  • Begna, T., D. Ulziibayar, D. Bisrat, C. Jung. (2023). Acaricidal Toxicity of Four Essential Oils, Their Predominant Constituents, Their Mixtures against Varroa Mite, and Their Selectivity to Honey Bees (Apis cerana and A. mellifera). Insects. 30;14(9):735. doi: 10.3390/insects14090735.
  • Colin, T., M.Y. Lim, S.R. Quarrell, G. R. Allen, A. B. Barron. (2019). Effects of thymol on Euro-pean honey bee hygienic behaviour. Apidologie, 50 (2), 141–152.
  • Conti, B., R. Bocchino, F. Cosci, R. Ascrizzi, G. Flamini, S. Bedini. (2020). Essential oils against Varroa destructor: a soft way to fight the parasitic mite of Apis mellifera. J. Apic. Res., 59(5), 774–782. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2020.1790790
  • Council Directive 81/852/EEC (2001): Repealed by 2001/82/ЕC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to analytical, pharmacotoxicological and clinical standards and pro-tocols in respect of the testing of veterinary medicinal products.
  • Damiani, N., Gende, L.B., Maggi, M.D., Palacios, S., Marcangeli, J.A., Eguaras, M.J. (2011). Re-pellent and acaricidal effects of botanical extracts on Varroa destructor. Parasitol Res, 108(1), 79–86.
  • Demirel, M., Keskin, G., Kumral, N.A. (2019). Varroa mücadelesinde sentetik ve organik akarisit-lerin kullanım olanakları. Uludag Bee J, 19(1), 96–109.
  • Glavan, G., Novak, S., Božič, J., Kokalj, A.J. (2020). Comparison of sublethal effects of natural acaricides carvacrol and thymol on honeybees. Pestic Biochem Physiol, 166, 104567.
  • Guideline on veterinary medicinal products controlling Varroa destructor parasitosis in bees (2008): EMA/CVMP/EWP/459883/2008. Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP), 15 November 2010.
  • Gurgulova, K., I. Zhelyaskova, V. Popova. (2004). Metican /Ecostop/ against Varroatosis among bees. Apiacta, 38, 307–316.
  • Khan, S.U., S.I. Anjum, M.J. Ansari, M.H.U. Khan, S. Kamal, K. Rahman, M. Shoaib, S. Man, A.J. Khan, S.U. Khan, D. Khan. (2019). Antimicrobial potentials of medicinal plant's extract and their derived silver nanoparticles: A focus on honey bee pathogen. Saudi J Biol Sci, 26, 1815–1834.
  • Kouache, B., Brada, M., Saadi, A., Fauconnier, M. L., Lognay, G., Heuskin, S. (2017). Chemical composition and acaricidal activity of Thymus algeriensis essential oil against Varroa destructor. Nat Prod Commun, 12(1), 1934578X1701200138.
  • Hýbl, M., A. Bohatá, I. Rádsetoulalová, M. Kopecký, I. Hoštičko the Efficacy of 30 Different Es-sential Oils against Varroa destructor and vá, A. Vaníčková, P. Mráz, (2021). Evaluating Honey Bee Workers (Apis mellifera). Insects, 12, 1045. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12111045.
  • Imdorf, A., Bogdanov, S., Ochoa, R.I., Calderone, N.W. (1999). Use of essential oils for the control of Varroa jacobsoni Oud. in honey bee colonies. Apidologie, 30 (2– 3), 209–228
  • Pinheiro, I. M., Luz, J. H. S., Souza, L. F. N., Oliveira, A. C., Oliveira, E. E., Aguiar, R. W.,Tschoeke, P. H. (2019). Effects of Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae) essential oils on the honey bees, Apis mellifera (Apidae: Hymenoptera), foraging. Revista de Ciencias Agrícolas, 36(E), 31–41.
  • Rinkevich, F. D. (2020). Detection of amitraz resistance and reduced treatment efficacy in the Var-roa Mite, Varroa destructor, within commercial beekeeping operations. PLoS ONE, 15(1): e0227264. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227264.
  • Topal, E., M.C. Cıpcıgan, R.İ. Tunca, M. Kösoğlu, R. Mărgăoan. (2020). The use of medicinal aromatic plants against bee diseases and pests. Bee Studies, 12 (1), 5–11.
  • Tutkun, E. (2016). Arı Akarı (Varroa destructor) Mücadelesinde Timol'ün Kullanılması. Arıc Arş Derg, 8(1), 1–5.
  • World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE, 2021). Manual of diagnostic tests and vaccines for terrestrial animals, Section 3.2. Apinae, Chapter 3. 2. 6 Varroosis of honey bees (infestation of honey bees with Varroa spp.). Paris.