Comparative field trials of Paenibacillus larvae control with antibiotics, essential oil of cinnamon and propolis

GENDE, L.; PALAZZETTI M; PANNONE O.; FRITZ R.; EGUARAS, M.; SACCARES S; DELL’AIRA, E; FORMATO G.

Melbourne, Australia

Congreso; Congreso Apimondia; 2007

The efficacy of three different components, essential oil of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), propolis, antibiotics (tetracycline HCl) against Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae was tested in colonies of honey bees under field conditions. The trials were carried out in May-June 2006 with four Apis mellifera melllifera groups containing hives. One group was treated three times with essential oil of cinnamon, the first treatment with 2000 mg/L and two doses with 1000 mg/L. A second group was treated three times with alcohol solution of propolis 6 %. The third group was treated with Tetracycline HCL (Ambramicina®) 1.2 g distributed in three doses of 0.4 g. The fourth group served as a control and was not treated. All of the treatments were given at 7-day intervals. The treatment with essential oil of cinnamon was the most efficient natural control. The treatment with propolis had the lowest efficacy. These results suggest a possible new way of controlling the presence of Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae in Apis mellifera melllifera hives without residues of antibiotics in honey.