Most Varroa induced colony losses occur during the autumn or winter season as a consequence of an elevated Varroa infestation level and an insufficient health status of the adult bees. Even with an initial low Varroa infestation in early spring, critical mite and virus infection levels can be reached before winter if colonies continuously rear brood throughout the whole season. To overcome this challenge, beekeepers can artificially interrupt brood production by suitable management procedures, depending on their type of beekeeping operation. To assess their efficacy, associated workload, and impact on colony development, different methods for brood interruption (queen caging with the combination of oxalic acid treatment, total brood removal, trapping comb technique) were tested during two seasons in 11 locations on 370 colonies in 10 European countries. A protocol was developed to standardize the methods’ application across different environmental conditions. The efficacy of queen caging depended on the mode of oxalic acid application and ranged from 48.16% to 89.57% mite removal. The highest efficacies were achieved with trickling a 4.2% solution (89.57%) and with the sublimation of 2 g of oxalic acid (average of 88.25%) in the broodless period. The efficacy of the purely biotechnical, chemical-free trapping comb and brood removal methods did not differ significantly from the queen caging groups. We conclude that a proper application of one of the described brood interruption methods can significantly contribute to an efficient Varroa control and to the production of honey bee products meeting the highest quality and food-safety standards.

The replacement of synthetic acaricides with organic treatments is a big challenge in modern beekeeping. In summer 2015, we carried out in Central Italy a study to compare the varroacide efficacy and the toxicity on honey bees of the formic acid evaporator Nassenheider Professional^® with two new formic acid-based gel formulations: MAQS^® and Varterminator^®. In the same apiary with 32 colonies, four homogeneous groups with eight hives each were prepared. The mean acaricide efficacy of Nassenheider Professional^® was 73.2 ± 12.5%, while MAQS^® and Varterminator^® showed a mean efficacy of 49.3 ± 14.9 and 81.2 ± 16.0%, respectively. Colonies showed a statistically significant reduction of adult bees only after the MAQS^® treatment with respect to the control group. All the treatments showed absent or quite moderate queen mortality (MAQS^® and in Varterminator^® groups 12.5%, Nassenheider professional^®, and control groups 0%). Our study indicates that Nassenheider Professional^® and Varterminator^® may represent a sustainable and effective solution to control mite infestation during summer in temperate areas.

We verified the acaricide efficacy on Varroa destructor and the toxicity on honey bees of summer treatments carried out in three different apiaries in Central Italy with an evaporator filled with 290 ml of formic acid 60%. Acaricide efficacy was evaluated counting the number of mites killed by the application of formic acid in the evaporator according to the indications provided by the producer, while toxicity on honey bees of the treatment was evaluated adopting the Liebefeld method. The mean acaricide efficacy varied from a minimum of 57.0 ± 21.8% to a maximum of 72.7 ± 12.5% and resulted always statistically higher with respect to the natural mite fall observed in the untreated groups. Concerning the toxicity for the honey bees, we observed only a statistically significant reduction of sealed brood with respect to the untreated hives in one of the three apiaries. No other statistically significant effects on the hive population or queen mortality could be observed. Environmental temperatures recorded in the three apiaries during the formic acid administration were within the ranges suggested by the evaporator producer. Considering the efficacy and toxicity obtained with the liquid formic acid treatment, the adopted protocol could represent a new sustainable organic tool to control varroa infestation in temperate areas.

Assessment of colony infestation by Varroa destructor is a crucial part of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) applied to beekeeping. Natural mite fall, quantified by counting the mites on sticky sheets, is considered a reference method to estimate varroa infestation level in honey bee colonies. However, in recent years, alternative methods that can be used in field conditions have been investigated. In this paper, we report the results of the evaluation of two different methods to estimate the levels of varroa infestation. The experiment involved 151 honey bee colonies in nine apiaries of four countries (Algeria, Croatia, Italy, Poland). After the main honey flow, we compared the 10-day natural mite fall and the powdered sugar roll methods with the varroa population in each colony. According to our results, the powdered sugar roll method could be suggested to beekeepers as a suitable IPM tool for varroa control, while natural mite fall represents a more accurate method that could be adopted for selection/research purposes.

Traceability is a cornerstone of sustainable honey production and consumption. Honey fraud and a lack of traceability have been recently highlighted by the European Commission. Innovative systems aimed at guaranteeing food safety ’from farm to fork’ and improved controls are highly recommended. Within the framework of the BPRACTICES project, part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, and the ERA-Net SusAn initiative—focused on Sustainable Animal Production Systems—an advanced traceability system has been developed. This system utilizes QR code and radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, along with a user-friendly web application, to facilitate direct interactions between producers and consumers. Despite existing research, studies on the information needs of Italian consumers regarding honey and its traceability remain limited. Understanding these needs is vital for creating effective communication strategies that enhance consumer satisfaction and trust. This study aims to identify the needs of Italian consumers’ honey during the purchasing and consumption decisions. To explore consumer perceptions, behaviors, expectations, and needs regarding honey, we employed diverse social research methodologies, including a quantitative online survey, paper-and-pencil interviews, and focus groups. The results of this study indicate a robust demand for more information on honey’s origin, production processes, and beekeeping practices, aligning with the recent EU Directive 2024/1438, which mandates clear labeling. Italian consumers would be willing to pay a premium for honey that offers detailed information about production practices and transparency. The positive reception of QR code technology by consumers suggests a growing openness to digital tools that enhance transparency and access to information. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the need for the beekeeping sector to adopt sustainable practices, improve traceability systems, and actively engage with consumers to foster trust and ensure long-term viability in the honey market. By addressing these information needs, the sector can align itself with increasing consumer demand for quality, sustainability, and transparency.