Bees to receive foot-baths and sprays?
Action is needed to protect our bees
Bees could have fungal footbaths to stop the spread of one of their biggest threats, researchers have suggested.
Scientists from the University of Warwick are looking at ways to halt the spread of the varroa mite, which shortens the life span of individual bees and causes colonies to decline.
The researchers are focusing on naturally-occurring fungi that kill the mite and are considering a variety of ways of applying the substances to bees, ranging from footbaths at the entrance of hives to powder sprays.
Currently, management of the varroa mite involves the use of chemical pesticides, which the creatures are becoming resistant to.
In addition, no natural predator or enemy of the mite has been identified, leaving fungus to be the researchers' most promising prospect.
Dr Dave Chandler of the University of Warwick explained: "We needed to find fungi that were effective killers of varroa, had a low impact on the bees and worked in the warm and dry conditions typically found in bee hives."
He revealed that out of the 50 species of entomopathogenic, or insect-afflicting, fungi which were studied, the project is now concentrating on four.
The team are now seeking additional funding to further study the four fungi and develop ways to deploy them.
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the varroa mite was first spotted in the UK in 1992, while resistance to chemical pesticides was noted in 2001.
Controlling the pest is now considered a routine element of bee husbandry, with the department describing the infestation as "endemic".
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Comments
Iam now in my eighties , and have kept bees now for seventy years , In think we should emphasize more using icing sugar , to help eliminate the Varoa , or at least control it ,they obviously won't get imune to that ,I have used it for about four years now , and it is labour intensive , but hobbieists should give time to the hobbie, that they enjoy ,I lost most of my bees five years ago , and have noe built up to eight colonies . this year from five collonies I have taken 349 pouds of honey , and made two nuclie, which have now develpoed to 2 good colonies to winter .at least if beekeepers who are hobbyits would be helping to keep varroa a little bit in check without using too much in chemicals .thanks for your time , aqnd hope this may be of some yterest to someone, yours faithfully I W chick