> I am a skeptic of both miracle and academic cures so what
> is the consenus?.
 
<Snip>
 
> The natural oils have proven to be more than a folk remedy in
> killing and controlling bloodsucking mites that have nearly wiped
> out wild honeybees, according to a West Virginia University
> entomologist.
 
<snip>
 
> That inspired tests of natural oils like tea tree, pennyroyal,
> patchouly, spearmint and peppermint. Noel also plans to try
> lavender. He thinks most mint oils will work.
 
 
> Research currently centers on the most effective way to apply the
> mint oils to the bees.
 
<snip>
 
> Amrine is so confident in the preliminary findings he has posted the
> formulas on the Internet so beekeepers can begin using them.
 
I know youa are all  going to ask, so here's the answer:
 
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/varroa.htm
 
(If you can't get it yourself I can arrange to email you the text).
 
Now, I was really quite impressed with this -- and as you all know, I
am a skeptic.
 
There has been a lot of rumour circulating about essential oils, and
frankly it has been hard to believe.  It seems no matter what common
oil you try, patchouli, wintergreen, pepermint -- voila, it works!  Hmmm.
 
But maybe where there is smoke, there is fire.
 
What I want to know is:
 
*   Has anyone been able to replicate this work?
 
*   Does anyone done any lab work on the effects of these various oils
on mites?
 
*   Does anyone remember the sources for these materials -- It was
posted here or elsewhere some short time back.
 
*   What is the cost of these materials?
 
*  Are they acceptable (maybe registered) as food additives?
 
*  What is the difference between peppermint oil and menthol?
 
I'd appreciate if anyone can shed some light on these questions, and
would appreciate responses either to the list or personally.  If
many responses come to me personally, I will summarise.  Any
responses received directly  by me will be quoted anonymously unless
the writer specifically gives permission to be identified as a
source of specific information.
 
 
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>