Robert Brenchley wrote:

> Has anyone used Thymol or Apiguard as miticides? If so I'd be grateful
> to hear about their experience.

I have done so to a limited extent.

Firstly as a part of a trial of Apilife Var (76% thymol),  the results of
which can still be found at -

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/2352/

This was my first attempt at html and I'm afraid that viewing the
page today with a different resolution monitor shows my
deficiencies.  Also the email address shown for me is no longer
valid.

There have been a number of articles in recent years about the use
of thymol including the use of thymol in a specially modified frame.

My general impression with these trials is that they show thymol to
be an effective acaracide but not as effective as say Apistan (pre-
resistance).

I believe thymol to be a useful treatment,  possibly as part of an
integrated treatment program,  because much of the literature that I
have read suggests that it is also effective against some other bee
ailments,  chalkbrood and nosema for example.

More recently I have tried Apiguard (VITA) - thymol in a gel.  My
impression was that it was extremely effective and it is certainly
simple to apply.

Joe