These essential oils were written up about a year ago in the "IPM Practitioner" , published in Berkeley. Researchers are experimenting still with them, as slurries and as sprays. They are not approved alternatives as of yet-doses have be worked out, etc. The miticides are only applied at the time when the nectar is not flowing, i.e., winter time in temperate climates. Once you put out the hives to produce honey, no miticide of any kind can be used, presumably also applies to the essential oils. There is some toxicity assoc. with those oils for mammals depending on the dose and the oil. I assume it gets into the honey as do the other miticides. Those insecticidal strips, if it is the same I and my beekeeper friends have used are now banned in the US, but, still can be used in Canada. Michael ----- Original Message ----- From: "Allan Balliett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 12:13 PM Subject: Re: Peppermint Essential Oil
> As very strange as it may seem to innocent people, the state > beekeeper here in WV told us that herbal slurs were not approved > items for being placed into beehives and if we did put them in our > hives, then he'd make absolutely certain that we could not sell our > honey in WV or elsewhere. Then he went on to recommend insecticide > strips, etc, to put in the hives. > > >Perry, > > > >I remember back in the mid 90's reading an article in the American > >Beekeeping Journal that spoke of using essential oils to reduce Mite > >infestations of beehives. I believe they used aromatic oils (peppermint, > >eucalyptus) in a slurry, placed at the entrance to the hive. Significant > >reduction in mite numbers was reported in the article, but it didn't seem > >like many beekeepers were doing it... > > > >Question for you Essie: Does feeding bees these oils effect the taste or > >quality of the honey? > > > >Ed > > > > > > > > > >> Essie and others, > >> > >> Where did you learn about using oils for your bees? What other > >> treatments and practices are being used by BD bee keepers? > >> > >> Perry > >> I use essential oils (in small amounts) in > >> sprays and in protein patty receipes that I use to feed my bees, to > >> suppress mites. > >> Essie > > >
