# Florida Student’s CO2 Device Cuts Varroa Mites Across 60 Bee Colonies 2026-08-07T02:45:40+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A 17-year-old Florida student, Aakash Manaswi, has developed a carbon dioxide device to control Varroa destructor mites, a major threat to honeybee colonies. The Times of India reports that his 10-week trial covered 60 colonies and compared a 30% CO2 treatment with conventional miticides. The treatment reduced mites while maintaining adult bee survival, tissue integrity, immune cell abundance and colony productivity. According to the report, CO2 performed as well as tau-fluvalinate and better than amitraz and coumaphos in the trial. It does not leave chemical residues in hive products or require protective equipment, and the treatment costs a fraction of pesticide-based options. Manaswi received a $10,000 Peggy Scripps Award and is pursuing a patent and peer-reviewed papers. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: beekeeping, carbon dioxide, honeybees, student innovation, Varroa mites Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/florida-students-co2-device-cuts-varroa-mites-across-60-bee-colonies/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/florida-students-co2-device-cuts-varroa-mites-across-60-bee-colonies/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.