>
> >As I said in the discussion beekeepers are NOT going to spend a hundred
> bucks a gallon for products which do not work!
>

Or, more accurately, it is unlikely that commercial beekeepers will
*continue to spend* for products which do not work--they have a long history
of spending on products that didn't work!

However, I have an open mind on the essential oils, especially since some of
their components are the same as, or similar to, some of the natural
compounds found in propolis. In addition, bees have a long history of
natural exposure to the essential oils of many plants.

As always, overuse of any product can cause problems.  I would not view any
product added to a hive as a panacea.  It is clear from my observations that
concentrations of some EO's slightly above the recommended dose can kill
brood, or cause behavioral stress.

On the other hand, there is a goodly amount of supportive data suggesting
that some EO's may be efficacious against some parasites, and possibly as an
immune or behavioral stimulator.

I am eagerly awaiting the results of Dave Wick's recently funded trials on
EO's vs viruses.

Randy Oliver

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