New Pesticide Guidelines Allow Beekeepers to Better Protect Hives from Damaging Mites

University of Florida researcher Cameron Jack’s work on protecting honey bees from a destructive pest has led to a significant policy change by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . The new regulation allows beekeepers to use a more effective dose of a common pesticide, providing a much-needed tool to combat the parasitic mite known as Varroa destructor .

For years, beekeepers have used oxalic acid to treat their hives and protect against the mite, which can lead to the collapse of an entire honey bee colony. The EPA’s previous guidelines, however, limited the amount of oxalic acid dihydrate powder that could be used with the vaporization method to just one gram per brood chamber.

Dr.

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