Further, the two oils may only serve to confuse/disorient mites. Not kill all of them unless they fall on a sticky board. Maybe the affected mites leave the hive(s), and maybe they can recover and return later. How can we not know the answer to this yet?? I am surprised that no one has autopsied mites yet?? (I would if it were any where near my skill set) I have heard many times "we don't know how it works" is this really true, or are we just not discussing it in public? Surely someone you know has the skills and tools to investigate dead mites? FWIW, mites from the sugar drop can live an average of 8 days in a plastic container, and climb at a rate of 1-2" a minute. So just a "loss of footing" doesn't really solve it. Charles *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html