AUTHOR=Juri Pablo , Nogueira Enrique , Anzola José , Rodríguez-Batista Valentina , Branchiccela Belén , Invernizzi Ciro TITLE=Evaluation of three different bottom boards in honeybee hives for the control of Varroa destructor JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bee Science VOLUME=2 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bee-science/articles/10.3389/frbee.2024.1384846 DOI=10.3389/frbee.2024.1384846 ISSN=2813-5911 ABSTRACT=Introduction

Varroa destructor stands as the primary global pest of honey bees, inflicting direct harm on bees while also acting as a vector for a multitude of viruses. Integrated pest management is widely recognized as the optimal strategy for minimizing acaricide application. Designed bottom boards that can limit the growth of the mite population by removing them from the hive and preventing their return and reinfestation of the colony show promising potential.

Methods

The aim of this study was to compare Varroa population growth by employing three different types of bottom boards. An apiary of 55 colonies was randomly divided into five groups according to the bottom board they had: 1) tubular bottom board, 2) screen bottom board, 3) sticky bottom board, 4) conventional bottom board with a permanent treatment with acaricide (positive control), and 5) conventional bottom board (negative control). Varroa infestation level in bees, colony strength (bee and brood population), and honey reserves were determined between April and December (between autumn and spring in the southern hemisphere).

Results

Colonies that had sticky bottom boards had approximately 50% less Varroa infestation than colonies with conventional bottom boards at the end of the study. Varroa infestation levels did not differ significantly between the tubular, screen, and conventional bottom boards. Colony strength was similar in all groups. No differences were observed in honey production between colonies from different groups.

Discussion

The use of sticky bottom boards was the most promising board to limit Varroa population growth and prevent colonies' reinfestation. This result encourages future studies to analyze the incorporation of this strategy in integrated pest management programs.