Food-grade mineral oil and thymol fog application as a natural alternative to treating honeybee mites

Project Overview

FNE08-641
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2008: $7,556.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2011
Grant Recipient: Bee-mus Honey
Region: Northeast
State: New York
Project Leader:
Heather Kyser
Bee-mus Honey

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Animals: bees

Practices

  • Animal Production: parasite control
  • Education and Training: demonstration, on-farm/ranch research
  • Pest Management: integrated pest management
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture

    Proposal summary:

    The abrupt collapse of honeybee populations makes finding ways to address Varroa and tracheal mites increasingly urgent. The farmer will investigate whether a fog form of mineral oil and thymol, a natural plant extract, can be used as an alternative pesticide in a cost-effective, environmentally sound way. The results of the project will be disseminated through a producer publication, extension, a county association, and an on-farm demonstration.

    Project objectives from proposal:

     

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.