EVALUATION OF AMITRAZ AND MENTHOL AS AGENTS TO CONTROL HONEY-BEE TRACHEAL MITE INFESTATIONS IN NONMIGRATORY HONEY-BEE COLONIES IN MINNESOTA

Menthol and Amitraz were evaluated as agents to control the honey bee tracheal mite (HBTM) by comparing 7 treatments; 1) no chemicals, 2) Amitraz, 3 strips in the fall, 3) Amitraz, 6 strips in the fall, 4) Amitraz, 3 strips in the spring, 5) Amitraz, 6 strips in the spring, 6) menthol, 25 g, and 7) menthol, 50 g. In the first season, both menthol treatments and both spring treatments with Amitraz significantly reduced the percent honey bees infested by HBTM, and prevented winter mortality of colonies. In the second season, spring application of 6 strips of Amitraz was the only treatment to significantly reduce the percent honey bees infested by HBTM. Higher winter mortality in the second winter corresponded to the higher levels of HBTM infestation.