I'm gonna put it on tha calendar for 1 September right now.!!!
 
 
On Sun, 21 Apr 1996, John Iannuzzi wrote:
 
> 1. Since the appearance of tracheal mite, I've never used the recommended
> treatment of a 50-gram pak of menthol crystals applied about 1 sep when
> it is still warm enuf to convert the stuff to gas.
> 2. Today I placed a paper towel saturated w/vegetable oil (any kind; cheaper
> the better) between the two deep broodchambers. Within a week the bees will
> have removed it. Especially noticeable if one runs pollen traps as I do, on
> seven of my strongest colonies (only have 12 now).
> 3. I also do this September 1st when I repeat the treatment a week later.
> 4. In talks w/my fellow beekeepers who use menthol, my survival rate is
> as good
> as theirs.
> 5. Theory is that the oil makes mite transference between bees difficult.
> 6. I know that people use diluted formic acid for the same purpose even
> tho it is said to be "not approved yet." C'est la vie. Suum cuique.
>
> Jack the Bman
> Ellicott City Md USA
> Thermometer hit 84degrees here today; bees bringing in
> a green pollen (maple?) like mad (collected a full pound despite the fact
> Maryland USA is NOT pollen country;
> also visiting my plum, pear, apple, cherry and peach trees just breaking
> into bloom. Sun21apr96 2041edt
>
>