Abstract: Different concentrations (25%, 50%and 100%) of Citrus aurantiumL (Sour Orange), Cymbopagon flexuosus (Lemon grass) and Citronella volatile oils and Mavrik were used against varroa mites in honey bee colonies. The percentage of infestation by varroa mites on worker brood and adult workers, number of dead varroa fallen on the sheet and amount of brood rearing were determined in the tested colonies. The highest concentrations (100%) of tested volatile oils caused a highly effective in controlling varroa mites. The mean percentage of varroa infestation on the worker brood and adult workers reduced to 100% after the fourth week of treatment with Citrusaurantium L (Sour Orange), Cymbopagon flexuosus (Lemon grass) and after the third week of treatment with Citronella oils. Mavrik strips caused highest reduction of varroa in the worker brood cells. The highest concentrations of tested volatile oils caused highly amount of sealed worker brood particularly in Citronella oil as well as in Mavrik strips.

Three natural plant oils of Citrus aurantium L (Sour Orange), Cymbopagon flexuosus (Lemon grass) and Citronella oils were used at concentration of 25%, 50% and 100% for each tested oil. Each tested colony was treated one time by using one cm³ of each oil, which added in Petri dish (3m inside diameter) and inserted below the brood combs.

Citronella oil.pdf (161.33 kb)