On Jun 4,  9:42am, Bill Painter wrote:                                          
> Subject: Tracial mites(Spelling)                                              
> I am new to this list as I have just started keeping bee's (two new hives).   
> If this is a rehashing of old topics I apologize.                             
>                                                                               
> I understand that a patty can be made to keep down tracial mites using        
> wintergreen.  My question is would one made with pepermint work just as well  
> or better or not at all?  If it does work does anyone have a recipe for       
> this?                                                                         
>-- End of excerpt from Bill Painter                                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
Also, has anyone tried using pennyroyal oil or extract on either variety or     
mite?  My wife's father was a veterinarian and he used pennyroyal oil for years 
to remove ear mites from dogs and cats.  One drop in each ear every few days    
for a couple weeks completely cures ear mites in our dogs.                      
                                                                                
I haven't experimented with any mint species oils in my hives but pennyroyal    
will be my first choice when I do.  I'd be very interested in the results if    
someone else on Bee-L has already tried this!                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
Kris Bruland                                                                    
Member of Mt. Baker Beekeepers Association                                      
Bellingham, Washington U.S.A.