On Fri, 11 Oct 1996, Dave Jurgens wrote:
 
>    My question is:
>                       Is there going to be enough ventilation in the colony
> to use the oil and grease patties without harming the bees. We made up only
> 25 patties to try this winter.We noticed that when we made the patties
> using the suggested formula that the smell was quite strong, using pathuala
> oil. Are the bees going to put up with this for 5 months being wrapped in
> plastic wraps.After the snow gets deep the only source of ventilation will
> be there top hole in the escape board.
 
If menthol is not effective below 20 C, i'd imagine that neither would
any other essential oil that needs  to volitilize (unless of course it
some how moved around with the core of the cluster). The European
scientists who have evaluated the Italian thymol-based varroacide APILIFE
VAR, found the product's effacacy really tailed off in cooler weather.
 
 
I don't see there being too much of a problem adding oil to syrup.Just
use an emulsifier like tween 20.  The problem with fiddling around with
different emulsifiers and formulations though is that it is difficult to
know what effects they will have on the bees, the honey, and the beekeeper.
Formic acid is a natural product, but it is by no means safe unless used
in a very specific way, using special precautions.  Used in the wrong way
may result in queen loss, worker loss, and damage to the beekeepers lungs,
eyes, and skin.  There are some compounds in mints that are known
sterilants of spider mites.  I have seen no data that looks at the effect
of mints on the fertility of queens though, and even though a product
looks like it may be killing the mites, the brood pattern may suffer.
Use caution until better data is available.  There may be consequences to
the size of your crop, its purity, and your personal safety.
 
Cheers,
Adony
 
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*** Adony Melathopoulos ****************
***** Center for Pest Management *******
******** Simon Fraser University *******
*********** Burnaby, British Coumbia ***
************** CANADA ******************
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