This fall I used a mixture of Crisco and menthol to treat for tracheal
mites. The menthol pellets were dissolved in melted Crisco and the mixture
was soaked up in a roll of shop grade paper towels. One towel was placed
in the top of each hive.
 
I will not know until spring how effective this treatment is, but I did
make an interesting observation a week or two later. The temperature is
quite cold now ( -2C to +7C ) but, since my hives are insulated above, the
bees generated enough heat to vaporise the menthol. The inner covers,
however, were cold enough to cause the menthol vapor to recrystallize in
long thin needles on the lower surface. On checking unused towels
with a magnifier, one can see the menthol has recrystallized there in very
tiny needles.
 
 
 
Donald Aitken
11710-129 Street
Edmonton Alberta Canada
T5M 0Y7