Today the honeybee parasite Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) causes the most serious economic damages to beekeepers. Varroa mite directly interferes into the life of bee colonies by feeding on the body fluid of bee larvae and imagos resulting in smaller, underdeveloped bees and shorter lifespan. In addition, the mite also spreads viruses, and by weakening the bee colony it makes bees susceptible to other pathogens as well. Through false orientation, robbing or the relocation of combs mites may get into new bee colonies.
There are no mite-free bee colonies in Hungary. Without proper medical treatment Varroa infestation extends over time, finally resulting in the collapse of the bee colony. Consequently, the number of mites must be minimized within the bee colonies. Hungarian beekeepers usually use chemical acaricides, the environmental and long term health risks of which are very high. The on-farm beekeeping research network of the Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi) aims at developing new bee health prevention technologies free of artificial materials for residue-free and sustainable honey production in Hungary.
Organic approach for sustainable honey production
Our first workshop on organic beekeeping and the issue of Varroa mite control was organized on 24th March 2013, within the frameworks of which the participating beekeepers discussed organic techniques applied in organic beekeeping, and – with the help of the distributor companies – could meet certified products to be used against the Varroa mite under organic conditions. Since then about 70 beekeepers participate in the activities of the on-farm network, and on-farm meetings, planning days and workshops are regularly organized. There are two professional guides available for the simple presentation of the practical tasks of organic beekeeping.Unique cooperation
Objectives of our researches
Some results that we are especially proud of
