REGARDING           RE>What a dilemma!
 
Robert Henderson wrote (8/23):
"Is it normal for the bees to not like the Menthol to the extent that they
stay outside the hive?  In the hives that I have treated with Menthol on
the bottom board (daily temps are 80+), the bees are staying on the
outside, rather than going in.  Will this affect treatment?  and will brood
rearing be affected?"
 
In my experience, bees *hate* menthol.  It will force them out, as was
reported, and they will propolize heavily around the menthol bag, sticking it
fast to the frame tops or bottoms.  The bag then generally tears when one
tries to remove it, spilling menthol all over the hive, and necessitating a
hive clean-up among grouchy bees.  Menthol also dissolves in the propolis,
creating a real smelly mess when one tries to clean up the hive parts.  I
think that I hate menthol as much as my bees.
 
Luckily, there is an alternative, the grease patty, with or without
terramycin, which takes care of the tracheal mite much better than menthol,
and without any mess at all.
 
Ted Fischer