Tom I have only used thymol crystals as my varroa treatment, together with some oxalic acid in 1998, 1999 and 2000 (dripped rather than sprayed - for safety reasons) since varroa arrived here in 1997. Last winter was our best ever, losing only 3 colonies out of 78 (2 of these to drone laying queens). See: http://www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/PENotes/VarroaTreatment.htm Peter Edwards ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Barrett" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: 15 April 2002 09:50 Subject: Mite thresholds > Are there any European beekeepers on the List who managed varroa without > acaricides and lived through the reinfestation period?