The control of V. destructor population in honeybee
colonies requires that treatments show an acceptable
acaricidal activity without side effect on honeybees, and
leave no or minimal residues in honey and wax with safety
margin to the customer. Adamczyk et al. (2005) concluded
that the presence of residues of essential oil components in
honey samples does not represent a sanitary risk or a risk
for human health, only may change the taste of the honey.
The lack of octopamine receptors in vertebrates likely
accounts for the profound mammalian selectivity of
essential oils as insecticides or acaricides (Isman 2000).
This work was focusing on the characterization of the
dosage response relationships among the essential oils and
the mortality effects on mite and bees at the same time.
These effects have been related with the essential oil
composition assayed. Therefore, our results have reproducibility
and predictability. We are currently working in a
system for a slower release over a longer period inside the
honey bee colonies for providing a control measure for the
overall treatment of V. destructor.