Effect of non-chemical measures on dislodging of Varroa mite in honey bee (Apis mellifera Linn.) colonies

A new variant of Varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) on Apis mellifera L. colonies has become a problem in honey bee production in Punjab. The present studies were carried out to devise nonchemical measures against V. destructor. Treatments viz. mustard oil (10 and 20%), canola oil (10 and 20%), icing sugar dusted eight times at three days interval (8N, 3di) and dusted four times at seven day interval (4N,7di), wheat flour (8N, 3di) and (4N,7di), screen bottom board, Varroa bottom board and Tween-20 (2%) along with untreated control were tested on 10 and 20 bee-frame colonies against Varroa mite. Among these, canola oil and mustard oil treatments were found promising in both 10 and 20 bee-frame strength colonies.