Development of bioactive ceramics to control mite and microbial diseases in bee farms

Abstract

American foulbrood, European foulbrood, Chalkbrood diseases and the varroa mite are all serious problems for beekeepers. These problem have led to the death of bee larvae and adults and ultimately in many cases severe economic loss. The most common method to treat these problems is through chemical treatments, however, such treatments are not generally acceptable due to the harmful chemical residues for the consumers. Here we pursue an alternative approach using essential oils studied in vitro. Lemon grass oil has been found to be the most effective agent against some microbial diseases and the parasitic mite. In this study we pursue an effective means to deliver the volatile oils by using porous ceramic materials as supporting media. In field trials, we used porous ceramics prepared using diatomaceous earth and activated charcoal as the main starting materials. The amount of activated charcoal was varied at 10, 20, 25, and 42.1 g. to determine optimal adsorption and control emission of the volatile lemongrass oil. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.