I'm gonna put it on tha calendar for 1 September right now.!!! On Sun, 21 Apr 1996, John Iannuzzi wrote: > 1. Since the appearance of tracheal mite, I've never used the recommended > treatment of a 50-gram pak of menthol crystals applied about 1 sep when > it is still warm enuf to convert the stuff to gas. > 2. Today I placed a paper towel saturated w/vegetable oil (any kind; cheaper > the better) between the two deep broodchambers. Within a week the bees will > have removed it. Especially noticeable if one runs pollen traps as I do, on > seven of my strongest colonies (only have 12 now). > 3. I also do this September 1st when I repeat the treatment a week later. > 4. In talks w/my fellow beekeepers who use menthol, my survival rate is > as good > as theirs. > 5. Theory is that the oil makes mite transference between bees difficult. > 6. I know that people use diluted formic acid for the same purpose even > tho it is said to be "not approved yet." C'est la vie. Suum cuique. > > Jack the Bman > Ellicott City Md USA > Thermometer hit 84degrees here today; bees bringing in > a green pollen (maple?) like mad (collected a full pound despite the fact > Maryland USA is NOT pollen country; > also visiting my plum, pear, apple, cherry and peach trees just breaking > into bloom. Sun21apr96 2041edt > >