David :
 
>         There has been little comment!!  Hey! you lurkers, get involved,
> what is your view? You might not think you view is valuable, but this is
> sharing information, it's how we learn!  So come on, if your'e not sure how
> to e-mail, just ask!!!
 
There has been essential oil research done, most of it in Europe.  The
most promising work in North America has been done by Nicholas Calderone,
who I think has moved on from the Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville,
to Cornell.  He has found some promising results using essential oils
against honey bee pathogens and mites.  His latest work with a thymol,
eucalyptus, camphor, menthol blend has looked to be quite effective
against Varroa.  However, caution must be exercised when putting any
essential oils into colonies at this stage in the game.  Plants produce
these chemicals for a reason, and I suspect a big reason is as
insecticides to kill insects trying to eat them.  Many of the chemicals
may be potentially toxic to honey bees.  I am working on a plant extract
that contains chemicals that screw-up the hormones of invertebrates.
Hopefully these will kill mites, but until I complete my work, I will not
know if they also kill workers, reduce the fecundity of the queen,
mess-up division of labour, or hurt the larave.  In my opinion, unless
you know the stuff won't hurt your bees, and really does have a proven,
documented effect on mites (and there are some herbal products being sold
that I have heard don't do a thing), think twice about using it.
 
About tea tree oil, I haven't come across any reaserch on it.  Does any
body know anything.  There is some evidence that oil of wintergreen can
kill mites, but I haven't seen any work on the other compounds on your
earlier list.  I would like any references any one has.  Also, if any one
has any information on the Italian (or Swiss ?) product Apilife/VAR, i'd
like to hear about it.  There are no essential oil products (apart from
menthol for T.M. - if that's considered essential oil) registered for use
as a pesticide or antibiotic currently in North America.
 
 
 
****************************************
*** Adony Melathopoulos ****************
***** Center for Pest Management *******
******** Simon Fraser University *******
*********** Burnaby, British Coumbia ***
************** CANADA ******************
****************************************
 
'All bees are looking for bargins in nature's supermarket'
- Bernd Heinrich
 
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