1. Mite Control in Honeybees with Essential Oils
East Antrim Beekeepers
Michael Young
Institute of Northern Ireland Beekeepers

2. The “Black Death” of Honeybees

3. Essential Oils
Are strongly scented oils that are created through the distillation of plant materials. Most commonly derived from the flowers, leaves or stems of a plant, they may also be derived from fruit or the skin of a fruit.
Many of these oils have common uses in aroma theory and alternative medicine
Beekeepers however, also may have a used for a select few of these common oils
Essential oils can often be found in health food stores or aromatherapy shops, the price may be high, but keep in mind that a little oil will go a long way.

4. Essential Oils/Grease Patties
Essential Oils have Two Modes of Action
Toxicity by direct contact
When Varroa mites feed on larvae that contain essential oils, their reproduction is interrupted

5. Impaired Reproduction in feeding syrups containing essential oils
When Varroa mites feed on larvae that contain essential oils, their reproduction is interrupted
If the oil is strong enough, the females are unable
to lay eggs
If the oils are in lower concentration, eggs are layed, but development of immature mites is delayed
Young mites do not reach maturity before the bees emerge from the cell; consequently, the immature mites die.

6. The syrup and essential oil is ingested by nurse bees and enters the communal food in the crop and passes into the milk glands.
When the nurse bees feed larvae, the essential oils are in the bee milk and communal food and are ingested by the larvae.
Thus, when female varroa mites feed on treated larvae or larval food at the bottom of the cell, they ingest the essential oils which adversely affect their reproduction.

7. Trophalaxis

8. Dosages Used in Experimental Treatments
Syrup: 25 drops (1 cc) of wintergreen or spearmint is
One pint of honey (or two cups of sugar (about one pound or grams)
Quart gallon (0.95 liter); hot water is added to fill the jar.

9. Commonly Used Oils Banana
Though it has been unconfirmed, reports state that banana oil seems to closely mimic the alarm pheromone of honeybees
Lemon Grass
Works conveniently as well as the pheromone created by the honeybee’s nasanov gland
Peppermint
Oil is used as a general-purpose pheromone masking scent

10. Paper Towel Formula 220 grams of paper towels
300 ml linseed oil (corn oil )
1 ½ ounce of wintergreen oil.
Note: The synergistic effect of adding wintergreen oil to the active ingredient linseed oil has a devastating effect on parasitic mites in honey bees during broodless times.

11. Feeding

12. Grease Patties/Treatment
4 Pounds of Granulated Sugar
3 Ounces of corn/vegetable oil
1 ½ Pounds Shortening
1 Pound of Honey
1 ½ Ounce of Wintergreen Oil (45ml)..

13. This Treatment controls Tracheal Mites Year Around and Varroa Mites During Broodless Periods

14. Emulsifyable Concentrate!
Feeding stimulant during late winter/early spring and dearth's or nucs

15. Conclusions Have delayed onset of economic threshold Drone Foundation
Use bottom screens
Essential oils
Grease patties
Spray/feed

16. Thank you any Questions!