Diseases and parasites, eradication or management: what strategy for honey bee health?

Abstract

With the recent discoveries of treatment-resistant AFB and varroa, the face of disease and pest control in apiculture has changed. Control must now enter the realm of integrated pest management (IPM) by which traditional chemical controls are combined with ‘softer’ approaches and with genetic and cultural methods. IPM is needed to reduce the occurrence of more treament-resistant pathogens and pests. Control tactics need to lower expectation to efficacy that is economically feasible rather than near absolute.