Message 7/52 From Gordon D. Hayes Apr 25, 95 01:46:24 am >I wouldn't count on Crisco patties by themselves. As with any type of insect control (and that is what mites are), you are well advised to use more than one afront to the problem. BTW--The fact that mites and bees are both insects is one thing that makes mite control so difficult. <snip> Unfortunately, mites ARE NOT insects, they are in the order Acari which include ticks; spiders are a close relative. All have 8 legs. THere are acaricides that will kill only mites and not insects, but most are chemicals that contaminate the wax and honey too. Oil patties wouldn't. We found that fall requeening helped a lot in keeping mites down, and the oil patty, of course. Diana Sammataro