Canadian researchers have found two acaricides, already used in various crops, that can fight the varroa mite without harming bees. If scientists can confirm the effectiveness of the ingredients in the new drug, it will be a step forward in treating the most dangerous disease for pollinating insects, according Producer.com. 

Varroa mites are considered the most dangerous for the most important pollinating insect. For more than a decade, beekeepers in Canada and elsewhere have relied primarily on a drug, Apivar, to help get rid of mites. But over time, pathogens became resistant to the drug. "Varroa mites are the worst enemies of bees," said Medhat Nasr, beekeeping expert and beekeeper in the Canadian province of Alberta." In the last two years, Apivar has lost effectiveness. If no other remedies are created in the near future, beekeeping will be greatly harmed.

Canadian scientists have managed to find another method of treating a dangerous disease. They tested commercially available mite control acaricides in various crops to see if prepared agrochemicals would be effective against varroa mites and also safe for bees. Medhat Nasr and his colleagues discovered two acaricides that had a detrimental effect on ticks.

"Two acaricides have been recommended as an active ingredient in a new drug and for further testing against varroa mites," medhat Nasr said. Canadian beekeepers have organic compounds that fight mites such as oxalic acid and formic acid, but these products are not as effective as synthetic acaricides. 

Source: Agrolink