Hello Bee Group,
   There is no question about oil and mites. The oil kills mites.
Period.
How? By covering the mite in oil and thereby smothering it.
  First hand knowledge? Yes. We also raise rabbits, they get ear mites.
Solution? Mineral oil, or baby, oil or olive oil, corn oil, etc. We
could buy something from a Vet but you don't need to.
  If you go to a Vet with a pet that has ear mites they will give you a
perscription for and oil or ointment to put in the ears. Ask the vet
what it does and he will tell you that it smothers the mite and they can
not breath and die. The perscription from the vet may have something in
it to prevent infection or scracthing but the results are the same. Ask
if you can use the above mentioned oils and he/she will tell you yes.
Re-apply the oil in about 7 days or so and the mites that just hatched
will also be killed. Any oil or cream that will cover the mites will
kill them.
   So what does this have to do with bees. Not much other than to put to
rest the strange notions of how oil works on mites. Whether you use oil
in you hives  is up to you. The type of oil is up to you. FGMO seems to
be the safest and what most use. What does it do to wax or honey? I have
no idea. But be assured that from years of raising many different types
of animals, Oils kills mites.
 
Gary C. Lewis
Duke Center, Pa.