New handbook on alternative methods for Varroa Destructor control in honey bee colonies

The Nature Conservation Programme in North Macedonia (NCP), with the purpose of integration of modern sustainable practices in beekeeping, conducted for the first in the country a scientific-applicative research on the application of biotechnical methods for mite control (Varroa destructor) in summer, instead of the usual practice of application of synthetic chemicals. The research was conducted between 2017 and 2019, with the participation of members of the Core Group of beekeepers in the Bregalnica Region Honey East – Kocani, who apply the principles of sustainable beekeeping.

Based on the results and the comparisons with other European research, the handbook Alternative methods for Varroa destructor control in honey bee colonies was compiled in Macedonian and English. The handbook gives step-by-step instructions about the following methods: queen caging, brood removal and isolator frame. The handbook has an innovative approach to education of beekeepers, who can access videos by scanning QR codes in the handbook and learn about the methods in a practical manner. We believe that with the application of these biotechnical methods beekeepers will improve their beekeeping practices, which would ensure safe and good quality bee products as well as protection of nature.

You can download the handbook for free at the following link: Alternative methods for Varroa destructor control in honey bee colonies

The handbook was written by Aleksandar Uzunov, PhD, associate professor at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food with the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, and Ralph Buchler, head of the Bee Institute in Kirchhain, Germany.