Perspective of Izmir Province Beekeepers on Bee Diseases and Pests

Objectives: In this survey study; it is aimed to determine perspective of Izmir province beekeepers visited the Department of Apiculture of Aegean Agricultural Research Institute on bee diseases and their control methods. Material and Method: Survey studies were conducted face to face with 94 beekeepers in ？zmir province in 2017. In the questionnaire, the opinions of the beekeepers were taken in many subjects such as number of colonies, whether they have been educated about diseases and pests, bee diseases and bee harmful that they encounter, medication methods that they choose, and how to overcome residual problems in bee products. The results are given in percentages on the tables, and the relationships among answers are shown by chi-square test. Results: According to study findings; While 77.7% of ？zmir beekeepers visited Institute make beekeeping as an extra job, 38% of them are primary school graduates and 62.8% were 51 years old and over. The ratio of beekeepers with 0-50 beehives is around 42.6%, and 74.5% of beekeepers are migratory beekeeping. Most common disease and harmful is varroa and as the first choice, chemical control method is used in 47.9%. The most used active ingredient in the chemical control is amitraz while the most used in organic control is formic and oxalic. Conclusion: It is concluded that varroa is the most important problem of beekeepers in bee diseases and pests. Beekeepers reported that the drug residue problem in bee products can be solved 43.5% by organic drugs, 29.0% by training and 17.7% by correct use of drugs