Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Oxalic Acid Vaporization Method to Control a Honey Bee Pest, Varroa destructor
We evaluated three different doses of oxalic acid (1g, 2g, and 4g) and a control group (no OA) per brood chamber in 2021. In 2022, we evaluated two different doses of oxalic acid (3 g and 4 g) and control group per brood chamber to assess the efficacy and safety of OA. In both 2021 and 2022, the 4 g treatment had higher Varroa mortality than the other groups and did not have any significant effects on the adult bee population and brood rearing. To better understand the effects of OA on developing larvae, we monitored larval mortality after the 4 g and 3 g OA applications in 2022. Our results show that the 4 g OA dose resulted in higher larval mortality compared to 3 g OA and control (no OA) in our 2022 experiment. Based on our results it appears that 3 g OA treatment may be the ideal dose, as it provides optimal Varroa control and is relatively safe to larvae.
Mustafa Bozkus is a dedicated master’s student in the horticulture department at Oregon State University, profoundly interested in advancing honey bee health. His current academic pursuit involves specialized research on Varroa destructor and European foulbrood diseases, reflecting his commitment to enhancing honey bee well-being. Mustafa’s studies underscore his dedication to understanding the intricate dynamics of honey bee colonies and his passion for contributing to their sustainable management.