The Use of Sulfur for the Control of Varroa

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The infestation of honey bees (Apis mellifera) with the parasitic mite varroa (Varroa destructor) continues to devastate the agriculture and beekeeping industries. In many regions of the U.S. most feral honey bee colonies have died due to infestation, and large losses to managed colonies have occurred as well. The importance of honey bees to U.S. agriculture is immense. Current USDA statistics indicate crop pollination, which is dependent on managed honey bees, adds $15 billion to the farm value of crops. The decreased availability of bees to pollinate cultivated fruit and vegetable crops has had strong impact on the agricultural economy. Emerging resistance to available pesticide treatment underlines the urgency for new treatments. Elemental sulfur has a long history of use as an insecticide and acaricide, and has organic status for pesticide use. Unlike current pesticides, there are no reports of sulfur resistance developing in response to long-term use. The reduction of varroa infestation will promote the long-term sustainability of U.S. Agriculture and the beekeeping industry and help halt tremendous financial and environmental losses due to lack of bees for pollinating cultivated crops and natural ecologies.