essential oils

[NWIN Beekeeper]

Sorry it took so long for me to get back here for a reply.

The recipe that is described should be nearly exactly the same as HBH.
With that, you can use the same rates as you would with HBH.
I forget the rates and I don't have them under thumb at the moment.
I know some folks even use 2x or 4x rate (quart instead of gallon).

The recipe should be considerably cheaper than buying branded HBH.
But as mentioned above, make sure you are using pure oils, not extracts with high alcohol.

[A lot of folks believe in mixtures of essential oils for Varroa and trachea mites.]

While I should find great comfort in the 'number' of people that believe, I'm not comfortable.
I wished instead that I could be comforted by the 'understanding why' the product works.

Everyone sees to do it, but no one can justify why, other than they believe they see it work.
I just don't feel comfortable doing things just because someone else believes they see a result.
I need to see it work and know why it works to maintain my belief.

I worry that any foreign substance added to the hive creates a 'cleaning' instinct (hygienics), rather than isolating a real active substance. 

[What is the shelf life of this oil mix...]

I don't have a trustworthy answer to that, and I questioned that idea myself.
That is why I have gone to mixing it as I use it.
If I am feeding, there isn't a problem of producing/consuming it before it can spoil.

The question isn't about the oils going rancid, its really about the sugar syrup molding.
So the idea of refrigerating the mix is not a bad idea if you plan to store it for any time longer than a week or two (the max. duration I'd expect it to last on a hive).

[sean]

with regards to essential oils and varroa i found this link/site http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/varroa/varroa2.htm

[Cindi]

Sean, that was a good enough site, but it is over 10 years old, updated a long time ago.  It would be good to see some more recent studies.  Have a wonderful and best of this great day, love our life. Cindi

[sean]

I have been trying to get an update on the info but no luck as yet. I am still trying though

[Cass Cohenour]

with regards to essential oils and varroa i found this link/site http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/varroa/varroa2.htm

http://www.wvbeekeeper.blogspot.com

I was going to post that link but can't post links yet. I didn't feel like going through the trouble of getting approval either. I have a few other links that are more recent. Can't post them either. Maybe if I insert the links into a quote it would be no problem. Yeah, looks like it works!!!  I'll dig the links up and post them for you Cindi.

[Cindi]

Cass, good, you got the link in there.  Looking forward to the links.  Have a wonderful, great day, lovin' this life we live.  Cindi