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In the industry of beekeeping or so called
apiculture, bee hives grown in a conditioned
environment and protected from external
destructors. Even though the surroundings
are well maintained there are cases where
the larvae and the matured bees are infected
due to an insect called Varroa mites. Varroa
mites are external parasites which hold
on to the larvae in the hives and suck its
hemolymph causing demise of the bee colonies.
Farmers cultivating Bee hives faces huge
losses due to this minute parasite. Researches
were undertaken to control these mites in
the bee farms. They found Neem
oil the valuable by product of Neem
tree can be the solution for the termination
of these mites considering it it's resistance
against pests property.
Stage of research started with testing
of Neem oil in the bee hive medium whether
it is suitable for the bees to withstand
the spray as bees were also insects by nature.
The intentions for this test it to check
the resistance of bees with respect to the
concentration of Neem oil. For that they
varied the Neem oil concentration and sprayed
over the colonies to make sure the bees
and larva sheltering in it can resist the
organic product. As the concentration increased,
the larvae could not able to discharge its
skin and bees started loosing their wings
due to the reaction of azadirachtin in neem
oil confirming the anti-metamorphosis property
of Neem oil. So it was found clear that
Neem
oil concentration directly affects the
farm than the mites, thus less dosage of
oil is advised to be sprayed. Nevertheless
it is found active against the Varroa mites.
The Neem oil is emulsified with some amount
of water and sprayed over the bee colonies
seven to eight times a week can control
the mites up to 90% effectively. It also
found that about 90 - 95% death of mites
is accompanied with a loss of 5-10% of bees.
Especially queen bees are affected by the
application of neem oil spray. Thus this
experiment result is concluded by stating
that Varroa mites can be controlled depending
upon the dosage and treatment of neem oil
and also it is clear that bees cannot resist
neem oil with high dosage.
Neem oil for controlling pest has once
again proved its property with this pest
species with some restrictions. Note: Populations
of Varroa mites in bee hives have to be
determined prior to spraying in order determine
the concentration of neem oil.
Author: Adam Teaser - neem articles |
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