CONTROL OF HONEY-BEE TRACHEAL MITE INFESTATIONS WITH AMITRAZ FUMIGATION IN ISRAEL

Experiments to control honey bee tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi Rennie) infestations with three weekly consecutive fumigations by amitraz wer e conducted at two sites in Israel, Treatment significantly reduced be e and colony infestations for at least two months at both sites, effec tiveness being evident at one site for eight months post-treatment, In a separate assay amitraz caused almost 100% mite mortality, concomita nt with an abrupt decrease in the rate of bee infestation, We hypothes ize that in addition to killing the mite, amitraz may also act as a re pellent to the pest. No adverse effects of fumigation on bee populatio ns or sealed brood area were recorded. Fumigation by amitraz is nowada ys used by most Israeli beekeepers and the only mite damage currently reported has been from untreated colonies.