History/Controversy:

Grease extender patties were first proposed by Dr. Bill Wilson as a
means to deliver oxytetracycline for an extended period of time, thereby
removing the need to make repeated trips to outyards, which for some
commercial operations realized significant savings in labor and fuel.
It has been argued that the prolonged presence of oxytet in hives in a
grease patty may be associated with increased resistence to oxytet by
the target bacteria,

Grease patties without oxytet can be useful as a treatment for tracheal
mites.  "Smith and graduate student Diana Sammataro decided to
investigate whether vegetable fat applications really were a practical
method of mite control. They made ten-ounce hamburger-shaped patties of
two parts Crisco and one part white sugar--the purpose of the sugar
being to attract the bees. Then they put the patties in 20 infected
honeybee colonies, replacing them as needed so the bees could wallow at
will in the sweet and greasy mix. An equal number of colonies got sugar
patties made without Crisco.

After eight months, only 2 of the 20 colonies with a constant supply of
shortening had died from mite infestation, while almost half the
colonies without oily patties had died. How does shortening protect
bees? "The mites, when they disperse, depend on bees rubbing up against
one another," says Smith. "Under a microscope you'll see the mites crawl
out to the ends of the long hairs of bees and wave their arms out in the
air, trying to latch onto another bee. We aren't sure, but it may be
that the oil prevents them from grabbing the bees like that."

Originally it was recommended to leave grease patties in the hive year
round.  This recommendation was later changed to leave patties in when
bees are confined (ie. winter); it is not necessary to use grease
patties in when bees' populations are rapidly expanding (spring/summer).

Formula available at:
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/misc/extender/default.htm

Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!

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