A simple, efficient, green and safe method for preventing and treating bee mites

Abstract

The application provides a simple, efficient, green and safe method for preventing and treating bee mites, and belongs to the technical field of bio-agriculture. The method for preventing and treating bee mites comprises the following steps: 1) selecting a bee colony to be treated, and ensuring that the beehive has good air tightness; 2) opening the nest door, and inflating gas from the inflation port to ventilate for 1-2.5 minutes; 3) after the ventilation is completed, closing the nest door and the inflation port for static treatment for 6-12 hours, and maintaining the oxygen content in the beehive at 4-12%. The method can achieve the purpose of preventing and treating bee mites by regulating the gas environment in the beehive, without applying chemical agents or removing the queen bee. The method is simple, efficient, green and safe, and has a remarkable prevention and treatment effect. The method does not affect the normal activity and production efficiency of bees, thereby ensuring the safety of the bee population and the benefit of the bee products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to bio-agriculture, and more particularly to a simple, efficient, green and safe method for controlling bee mites. Background Technology

[0002] Varroa mites are a significant limiting factor affecting bee health, seriously harming the reproduction and growth of bee colonies. Their damage is insidious and difficult to control. Varroa mites, also known as Varroa spp., are the most threatening bee pest to the global beekeeping industry. Their scientific name is *Varosa spp.* Varroa destructor Varroa mites reproduce in capped cells. As the larvae are about to be capped, they burrow into the cells and parasitize the bee larvae, subsequently laying eggs and raising the first generation of mites within the cells. This causes abnormal development in bee larvae and pupae. Varroa mites also shorten bee lifespan, reduce foraging ability, and decrease the successful mating rate of drones. Furthermore, Varroa mites can transmit various bee viral diseases. Compared to single viral infections, the interaction between mites, bee viruses, and bees can cause more severe damage to bee colonies. Therefore, in bee colonies severely affected by mites, a large number of bee larvae and pupae die, newly emerged bees are often incomplete or deformed, and the colony's strength is rapidly weakened, resulting in severe colony losses, even the extinction of the entire colony. This leads to a significant reduction in bee populations and seriously affects the healthy development of beekeeping.

[0003] Currently, beekeeping relies heavily on chemical methods to control mites, such as amitraz, flufenoxuron, and phosmet, as well as organic acids like formic acid and oxalic acid. However, while traditional chemical agents have some mite-killing effect, they negatively impact the sustainable development of healthy beekeeping and the quality and safety of bee products. For example: ① the process requires queen removal and brood removal, hindering the healthy development of the bee colony. ② Chemical agents can increase the resistance of mites. ③ Chemical agents pose certain safety risks to bee colony health. ④ Bee products may contain residues of acaricides and other chemicals. Furthermore, ⑤ chemical control methods are cumbersome, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. ⑥ Other methods such as sound waves and high temperatures are less effective at controlling mites. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly method that does not harm bee colony health or bee product quality to ensure the health of bee colonies and the sustainable development of beekeeping. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a simple, efficient, green and safe method for controlling bee mites, which can control bee mites without interfering with the normal activities of bees, thus ensuring bee safety and the breeding and production efficiency of bee colonies.

[0005] This invention provides a method for controlling bee mites, comprising the following steps: 1) Select the bee colony and beehive to be treated, and ensure that the beehive has good airtightness; 2) Open the nest entrance and introduce gas through the air inlet for ventilation; 3) After the ventilation is completed, close the nest entrance and air inlet and let it stand still.

[0006] Preferably, in step 1, the number of honeycombs in the beehive is 3 to 6 per hive, and the density of bees on the honeycomb is 2,500 to 3,000 per honeycomb. The bottom of the beehive is sprinkled with powdered sugar, and a protective mesh is placed on top of the powdered sugar.

[0007] Preferably, the gas in step 2 is a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

[0008] Preferably, the volume percentage of carbon dioxide in the mixed gas is 0-10%.

[0009] Preferably, the air flow rate during the ventilation in step 2 is 20~50L / min, and the ventilation time is 1~2.5min.

[0010] Preferably, the oxygen concentration decrease rate during the ventilation in step 2 is 6~10% / min.

[0011] Preferably, the settling time in step 3 is 6 to 12 hours.

[0012] Preferably, the oxygen concentration during the settling process in step 3 is 4-17%, and the oxygen concentration fluctuation rate is ≤8% / h; The minimum duration for which the oxygen concentration is 4-12% during the settling period is 6 hours.

[0013] Preferably, the beehive pests include Varroa mites, Varroa mites, tracheal mites, wax moths, and honeycomb beetles.

[0014] Ideally, prevention and control measures should be implemented after the bees return to their hives.

[0015] The prevention and control method provided by this invention uses nitrogen and carbon dioxide to ventilate the beehive, while ensuring that the oxygen concentration and fluctuation rate inside the beehive are maintained within a specific range during the static period. By synergistically regulating multiple modified atmosphere conditions, the environment inside the beehive is brought to a critical state that does not interfere with bee activities and can effectively remove Varroa mites. This achieves the goal of eliminating Varroa mites in the beehive without the need to apply chemical agents or remove the queen or brood, while ensuring the safety of bees and the reproduction of the bee colony, resulting in significant prevention and control effects.

[0016] The method of this invention only requires two treatments per year, before winter and before spring breeding, ensuring the healthy development of bee colonies and protecting them from Varroa mite infestation. Compared to traditional chemical control, this method not only has excellent mite-killing effects but also offers the following advantages: ① Simple and quick operation; ② Cost savings of approximately 50%; ③ Harmless to bee colony health; ④ No need to remove queens or brood, thus not affecting colony development; ⑤ No quality or safety risks to bee products. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the beehive structure of the present invention (wherein, 1 is an air inlet; 2 is an isolation mesh; 3 is the hive entrance; and 4 is the beehive cover). Figure 2 This is a graph showing the change in oxygen concentration in the beehive over time during the static setting process in Example 1. Figure 3 This is a photograph of the mites falling to the bottom of the beehive after the mite removal process in Example 1. Figure 4 This is a graph showing the change in oxygen concentration in the beehive over time during the static period in Example 2. Figure 5 This is a graph showing the change in oxygen concentration in the beehive over time during the static period in Example 3. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions provided by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Example 1

[0019] Select adult worker bees carrying parasitic Varroa mites from the hive. Select 100 adult worker bees infested with Varroa mites (a total of 100 mites) and mix them into healthy, mite-free, uncapped honeycomb as the honeycomb to be treated. The honeycomb to be treated consists of 4 honeycombs, each with a bee density of 2500-3000 bees, for a total bee population of approximately 12000. Select a well-sealed, mite-free beehive (such as...). Figure 1 Add powdered sugar to the bottom of the hive and place a mesh screen around it. Place four combs into the hive, cover it with the mesh cover, then cover the mesh cover with foam plastic sheeting, and finally close the hive lid.

[0020] Nitrogen gas is introduced into the hive through the air inlet at a flow rate of 30 L / min for 2 minutes for ventilation. The oxygen concentration in the hive decreases at a rate of approximately 8% / min.

[0021] Plug the air inlet with a rubber stopper, close the hive entrance, and allow it to settle. Start timing. Record the change in oxygen concentration inside the hive over time, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0022] After 12 hours of static treatment, open the hive entrance, remove the honeycomb, collect the dead bees and the mites that fell under the isolation net, and calculate the bee mortality rate and mite removal rate. A photograph showing the mite-falling effect at the bottom of the hive is shown below. Figure 3 As shown.

[0023] Depend on Figure 2It can be seen that during the static period, the oxygen concentration in the beehive was always maintained between 4% and 8%, and the fluctuation rate of oxygen concentration was ≤4% / h. The duration of oxygen concentration between 4% and 12% was 12h. Example 2

[0024] Using the same method as in Example 1, nitrogen was introduced for ventilation and the hive was left to stand. The changes in oxygen concentration in the hive over time are as follows: Figure 4 As shown. After 12 hours of static treatment, open the hive entrance, remove the honeycomb, collect the dead bees and the mites that fell under the isolation net, and calculate the bee mortality rate and mite removal rate.

[0025] Depend on Figure 4 It can be seen that during the static period, the oxygen concentration in the beehive is maintained between 4% and 13%, and the fluctuation rate of oxygen concentration is ≤8% / h. The duration of oxygen concentration between 4% and 12% is about 10h. Example 3

[0026] Using the same method as in Example 1, nitrogen was introduced for ventilation and the hive was left to stand. The changes in oxygen concentration in the hive over time are as follows: Figure 5 As shown. The difference is: the air flow rate is 30L / min from the air inlet, and the air exchange time is 1.8min. After 12 hours of static treatment, the hive entrance is opened, the honeycomb is removed, and the dead bees and mites that fell under the isolation net are collected. The bee mortality rate and mite removal rate are calculated.

[0027] Depend on Figure 5 It can be seen that during the static period, the oxygen concentration in the beehive is maintained between 5% and 17%, and the oxygen concentration fluctuation rate is ≤4% / h. The duration of the oxygen concentration between 4% and 12% is about 6 hours. Example 4

[0028] The same method as in Example 1 was used, involving nitrogen gas filling for ventilation and a settling period, with the difference being that the gas flow rate was 30 L / min and the ventilation time was 1.5 min. During the settling period, the oxygen concentration in the hive was maintained between 8% and 16%, with an oxygen concentration fluctuation rate ≤8% / h, and the period of oxygen concentration between 4% and 12% was approximately 4 hours. After 12 hours of settling, the hive entrance was opened, the honeycomb was removed, and dead bees and mites that had fallen under the isolation net were collected. The bee mortality rate and mite removal rate were calculated. Example 5

[0029] Similar to Example 1, nitrogen gas was introduced for ventilation and then allowed to stand for a period of time. The difference was that the gas flow rate was 20 L / min, the ventilation time was 2.5 min, and the oxygen concentration in the hive decreased at a rate of approximately 5.6% / min. During the standing period, the oxygen concentration in the hive was maintained between 6% and 16%, with an oxygen concentration fluctuation rate ≤8% / h, and the period of oxygen concentration between 4% and 12% was approximately 6 hours. After 12 hours of standing, the hive entrance was opened, the honeycomb was removed, and dead bees and mites that had fallen from the isolation net were collected. The bee mortality rate and mite removal rate were calculated. Example 6

[0030] Similar to Example 1, nitrogen gas was introduced for ventilation and then allowed to stand for a period of time. The difference was that the gas flow rate was 60 L / min, the ventilation time was 1 min, and the oxygen concentration in the hive decreased at a rate of approximately 11% / min. During the standing period, the oxygen concentration in the hive was maintained between 4% and 15%, with an oxygen concentration fluctuation rate ≤6% / h. The period of time with an oxygen concentration between 4% and 12% was approximately 9 hours. After 12 hours of standing, the hive entrance was opened, the honeycomb was removed, and dead bees and mites that had fallen from the isolation net were collected. The bee mortality rate and mite removal rate were calculated. Example 7

[0031] The same method as in Example 1 was used, except that a mixed gas with a carbon dioxide volume ratio of 10% was introduced for ventilation and allowed to stand. The ventilation rate was 30 L / min, the ventilation time was 2 min, and the oxygen concentration in the hive decreased at a rate of approximately 8% / min. During the standing period, the oxygen concentration in the hive was maintained between 4% and 15%, with an oxygen concentration fluctuation rate ≤6% / h, and the duration of the oxygen concentration being between 4% and 12% was approximately 9 h. After 12 h of standing treatment, the hive entrance was opened, the honeycomb was removed, and dead bees and mites that had fallen from under the isolation net were collected. The bee mortality rate and mite removal rate were calculated. Comparative Example 1

[0032] The same method as in Example 1 was used, involving nitrogen gas filling for ventilation and a settling period. The differences were: the nitrogen gas flow rate was 30 L / min, the ventilation time was 2 min, the hive entrance was not completely closed during the settling period, and the oxygen concentration in the hive was maintained between 5% and 20%, with an oxygen concentration fluctuation rate ≤10% / h. The period of oxygen concentration between 4% and 12% was approximately 4 hours. After 12 hours of settling, the hive entrance was opened, the honeycomb was removed, and dead bees and mites that had fallen from the isolation net were collected. The bee mortality rate and mite removal rate were calculated. Comparative Example 2

[0033] The same method as in Example 1 was used, with nitrogen gas introduced for ventilation and then allowed to stand. The difference was that the gas flow rate was 30 L / min, the ventilation time was 2 min, and the hive entrance was sealed with plastic wrap during the standing period. During the standing period, because the plastic wrap sealed the hive entrance, the bees could not exchange gases inside and outside the hive by flapping their wings. As oxygen was consumed, the oxygen concentration dropped to below 4%, and the bees gradually entered a paralyzed state. The continuous sealing led to the death of a large number of bees, rendering the experiment meaningless.

[0034] The mite removal rate and bee mortality rate of Examples 1-7 and Comparative Example 1 were statistically analyzed, and the specific results are shown in Table 1.

[0035] Table 1. Mite eradication rate and bee mortality rate of Examples 1-7 and Comparative Example 1

[0036]

[0037] As shown in Table 1, the method of this invention, by introducing a mixed gas of carbon dioxide and nitrogen at a flow rate of less than 50 L / min to ventilate the beehive for 2 minutes, and maintaining the oxygen concentration between 4% and 12% with an oxygen concentration fluctuation rate of ≤4% / h for 12 hours, can achieve a 97% control rate of bee mites while ensuring that the normal activities of bees are not disturbed, thereby ensuring the safety of bees and the breeding and production efficiency of the bee colony.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A simple, efficient, green, and safe method for controlling Varroa mites, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: 1) Select the bee colony and beehive to be treated, and ensure that the beehive has good airtightness; 2) Open the nest entrance and introduce gas through the air inlet for ventilation; 3) After ventilation is complete, close the nest entrance and air inlet and allow it to stand still; Step 2) The gas is a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide; the volume percentage of carbon dioxide in the mixture is 0-10%; the gas flow rate during the gas exchange is 20-50 L / min; the gas exchange time is 1-2.5 min; and the oxygen concentration decrease rate during the gas exchange is 6-10% / min. Step 3) The settling time is 12 hours; the oxygen concentration during settling is 4-13%, and the oxygen concentration fluctuation rate is ≤8% / hour; the duration of the settling time with an oxygen concentration of 4-12%, i.e., the effective duration, is at least 10 hours.

2. The method for controlling bee mites as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of honeycomb frames in the beehive mentioned in step 1) is 3 to 6 frames per hive, and the density of bees on the honeycomb frames is 2,500 to 3,000 per frame; The bottom of the beehive is sprinkled with powdered sugar, and a protective mesh is placed on top of the powdered sugar.

3. The method for controlling bee mites as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The beehive pests include Varroa mites, Varroa mites, tracheal mites, wax moths, and honeycomb beetles.

4. The method for controlling bee mites as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Control measures should be implemented after the bees return to their hives.

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