At 10:42 AM Phil Wood wrote:
>I have a bit of a question about the text at this site:
>Specifically, the authors mention that wintergreen, spearmint,
>and peppermint oils have proven successful, that spearmint patties
>were propolized, but not wintergreen, teatree, or patchouli oils.
>The question has a small interest to me because I have a large bottle of
>peppermint oil left over from a prior experiment in controlling varroa
>(I didn't run a no-apistan control). It seemed to work quite well.
>
>Does this mean that no research was done with peppermint oil? I assume
>we could just use it in the same amount as wintergreen or spearmint oil.
>Anyone have any information about it?
>
>Curiously, I didn't hear much from folks since the original posting
>here. Does this mean that everyone is quietly going out and buying the
>oils and seeing what will happen?
>Or is this a new idea with promising preliminary results?
>
>Just curious-
>Phil Wood
>[log in to unmask]
 
Dear Phil and others using essential oils.
 
Bob Noel and I have use peppermint oil and it is effective in reducing
varroa when used in the syrups. I believe Bob tried it in tracking strips
and said that the odor quickly evaporated. Apparently, it is more volatile
than wintergreen, tea tree and patchouli oils; we are trying the heavier
oils that seem to last longer in the tracking strips and grease patties.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jim Amrine
Division of Plant & Soil Sciences
P. O. Box 6108, West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26506-6108
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