Letters

In response to Plagued by ticks? Or Varroamites?

I am a beekeeper in Peru working at 2,800- 3,500 m above sea level. I read B/DJ regularly and was interested to see the article* about the use of the leaves of aspen trees Populus tremula in controlling Varroa. I would like to report that in Tarapoto, a city of the Peruvian forest (400 m above sea level) some beekeepers use the leaves of ‘huamansamana’ (Jacaranda copaia) macerated in 96° ethanol. This is applied in the same way as thymol is used, and the reduction in numbers of Varroa is remarkable. Research is underway and we are hopeful of good results.

I am sure that in nature we can find substances that neutralise Varroa without altering the quality of the honey.

*Published in B/D Journal 92 (page 5) and available on the Information Portal of the BFD website