>> Tracheal mites are the easiest to prevent with Crisco patties

With reservations.  Using Crisco patties is a *very* mild preventative, and
one which may or may not work in a specific situation.  It is one I would
not trust without monitoring for efficiacy annually. Monitor, monitor,
monitor.

> Will take menthol to clear the above hives and I suspect menthol a
> waste of money for the most infested.

Agreed

> Breeding is best for sure.

Agreed, but breeding is hard to see with the naked eye.  Unfortunately,
people assume that, just because there was no problem with stock from a
breeder one year, that there will be none the next.  Not so, relying on most
US breeders bees to be tracheal resitant is a crapshoot, if the sampling
data from our good friends at Baton Rouge is any indication.  See
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/articles/tracheal.htm

Also, regarding tracheal mite treatments, see
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/ for some ideas and links.

allen
A Beekeeper's Diary: http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/

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