While on the subject of "Natural cures" we have all read (one way or
another) about Dr. Pedro Rodriguez' anti-varroa  method
using wax strips + food grade mineral oil (liquid paraffin?) -- be aware
that an italian report at:
 
http://www.eureka.it/4a/english.htm
 
describes the use of castor oil smeared on the frame tops and the
underside of the top cover to obtain the same result. The reasoning
for the effectiveness of the oil is identical with Dr. Rodriguez'.
 
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Since 20th. Sept last the bees have been out once for approx trwo
hours! Its getting brighter and warmer in the middle of the day but
north winds, cold temps. and snow showers are forecast for at least
another week. One hive that acted as a wind break for the others had
to be taken into the equipment shed (warmish, no wind, no snow
showers under cover!) to be given a couple of frames of
sugar syrup being kept for splits. The frames had been previously
warmed up in the house and the cappings were scraped with a knife to
release the smell and encourage cleaning-up/feeding as they were
inserted.
 
Tony Morgan
Trondheim
Norway