I found an article in the June 28, 1995-p23 issue of Ag Alert.
USDA tests new way to fight mites.
        U.S. Dept of Ag researchers say they are testing a concoction of
natural plant oils in a new attack on mites-the biggest threat to domestic
honeybees.
 
        Laboratory and small-scale field tests have shown the blend of plant
extracts is effective against both tracheal and Varroa mites, which have
been a growing problem across the country since the mid-1980s.
 
        Now, ARS scientists are conducting larger studies in four states to
see how well the extracts work in commercial apiaries.
 
        "We still have a long way to go before we have a commercial product,
but we are encouraged," said Nick Calderone, an ARS entomologist whose
comments were published in the June issue of the agency's Agricultural
Research magazine.
 
        "These compounds exhibit a significant potential for controlling
mites and may be effective against some honeybee diseases," he said.
 
        SNIP SNIP SNIP cut out some general info
 
        The plant extracts ARS has been using have been shown to be
effective against both types of mites and don't harm the bees, Calderone said.
 
        Large-scale field tests are being conducted at commercial apiaries
in Harrisonburg, Va., and Mercersberg, Pa.; in Texas in cooperation with the
ARS as Weslaco; and at the University of Minnesota.
 
        As they continue to test the extracts, researchers also are trying
to develop a way to apply the compounds with as little work as possible.
 
        A final step that would be needed is regulatory approval from the EPA.
 
        Calderone said he hopes to find a mixture of extracts that would
kill both types of mites.
 
        Now, the blend used against Varroa mite is primarily thymol and
eucalyptus oil.  This mixture killed 98% of Varroa mites and was as
effective as the fluvalinate strips, researchers said.
 
        For tracheal mites, the oils are from peanuts, sunflowers, rapeseed,
or soybeans and mixed into sugar patties.  Between 1.5% and 2.5% of the bees
were found to be infected after their hives were treated with this compound,
compared with 10% in untreated colonies.
 
 
MY NOTES
I have not seen anything about this topic on this group and maybe someone
who is involved or knows about these materials can comment further.
Phil Soderman [log in to unmask]
Phil Soderman [log in to unmask]
Carpinteria, California USA
ZONE 10