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Dave W
09-05-2003, 10:25 AM
Greetings . . .

Here's some info I hope will help a NewBee!

GREASE PATTIES may be used instead of Menthol for control of Tracheal mites. Unlike Menthol, grease patties do NOT kill T-mites, just controls their population. Must be used all 12 months and may be used during nectar flow.
Source: http://members.tripod.com/~DARGUK/varroa.htm

GREASE PATTIES do NOT kill t-mites, even if your bees make it through winter, they will be "sick" enough from mite infection (Parasitic Mite Syndrome=PMS) that they have a difficult time developing into a strong colony.
Source: http://www.beekeeper.org/disease.html

GREASE PATTIES have the odor of older worker bees and when young bees feed on the patty, they smell "old". Should T-mites infest an older bee they cannot complete their reproduction cycle and die when the old bee dies. When a new worker bee emerges, T-mites seek her out to infest her. If T-mites are unable to identify the young bees, they cannot survive.
Source: Brushy Mtn Bee Farm Catalog, 2003, p40

GREASE PATTIES attract Small Hive Bettles and should NOT be used in infested areas.
Source: Brush Mtn Bee Farm Catalog, 2003, p40

GREASE PATTIES w/ WINTERGREEN oil and SALT seem to have an effect on BOTH Varroa and Tracheal mites during times when brood IS present, and has devastating results during broodless times of the year. Patties w/ WG oil and SALT increase mite drop 2 to 5 times as compared to regular Screened Bottom Board w/ NO treatment. Use on colony when (Varroa??) mite infestation is below 5% and continue for duration of season. When colony is already at "injury level", bees do not consume patty in sufficient quantities to reverse effect of mites and pathogens (PMS).
Source: http://rnoel.50megs.com/2000/part2.htm

Recipe #1 - (PLAIN) Mix 1 part vegetable shorting (Crisco) w/ 2 parts white granulated sugar. Most effective during spring and autumn. Patties are considered to be more effective in controlling mites in Ohio than Menthol.
Source: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2164.html

Recipe #2 - (PLAIN) Mix 1 lb Crisco shortening w/ 3 lbs of granulated sugar, divide into 12 equal portions and flatten into patties.
Source: Brushy Mtn Bee Farm Catalog, 2003, p40

Recipe #3 - (PLAIN w/ SALT) Mix 1-1/2 lbs of Crisco solid vegetable shortening w/ 4 lbs (2 qts) of sugar, 1/2 lb (2/3 cup) honey, 1/3 cup of MINERAL salt (orange/brown salt used to feed livestock, pulverize salt in blender). Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Form into approx 12 hamburger-size patties. OPTIONAL - Add 1.5 oz (3 tbs) of natural wintergreen oil when honey supers are NOT on hive.
Source: Beekeeping for Dummies, 2002, p187

Recipe #4 - (WINTERGREEN) Mix 4 cups sugar, 2 cups (1 lb) shortening and 4.8 cc (1tsp=4.93cc) wintergreen oil. Make into 8 oz patties and place one per colony above cluster, from Nov until April. Do NOT use wintergreen oil when honey supers are on hive.
Source: http://members.tripod.com/~DARGUK/varroa.htm

Recipe #5 - (WINTERGREEN and SALT) Mix 1-1/2 lbs od shortening, 4 lbs sugar, 1/4 to 1/3 cup of MINERAL salt (pink color), 1/2 lb honey, 3 tablespoons (45cc) of wintergreen oil. (Do NOT use wintergreen oil when honey supers are one hive).
Source: http://rnoel.50megs.com/2000/part2.htm

GREASE PATTIES w/ TERRAMYCIN are called "EXTENDER PATTIES" and are the most effective way to control foulbrood. Antibiotic extender patties offer the best method of applying Terramycin since they render a uniform dose of treatment over an extended period. "Ready-made" patties are available from Mann Lke Ltd. These "Terra-Patties" are made w/ the proper Terramycin registered for bees. Research has shown that the Terramycin stays at full strength for up to 6 months. Extender patties can be applied in fall to overwintering colonies or early spring. Best consumption attained when alternate feed is not present. Patties should be applied as early as possible before pollen or nectar flow and removed 14 days prior to honey flow.
Source: Mann Lake Catalog, 2003, p31

EXTENDER PATTY use has been sanction by FDA, no label has been approved. Patties can be prepared before active bee season. Contamination of honey is lower than dusting or using medicated syrup.
Source: The Hive and the Honey Bee, 1992, p1091

Recipe #6 - (w/ TERRAMYCIN) Mix thoroughly 1/3 lb (1-1/4 cups) powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons TM-25, 1/3 lb (3/4 cup) vegetable shortening. Place mixture between 2 pcs of waxed paper and press into patty. Lay on top-bars of brood nest. Can be used in March and October and eliminates the 3-weekly dustings of powdered Terramycin.
Source: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/4h/beekeep/enemofb.htm

STORE grease patties in freezer. Press patties 3/8" thick before freezing. (My first batch was pressed to a thickness of approx 1/2". I found that they would not fit between the supers. I place mixture on waxed paper and lay 3/8" wood strips beside mixture. Roll-out w/ section of PVC pipe, using wood strips to maintain a thickness of 3/8". Cut patty w/ 5" diameter coffee can. Separate w/ waxed paper and freeze in Zip-Lock bags. DW)
(Do NOT apply frozen patty to broodnest, especially in winter??? DW)

REPLACE patties as soon as they are consumed.
(My first patty, w/salt-no wintergreen, placed 4/26, lasted until 5/21 - 25 days. Through summer, most are gone within 10-14 days. I dont know about winter. I have read they last from 1 to 3 months.

Good Luck!
Dave W


[This message has been edited by Dave W (edited September 05, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by Dave W (edited September 05, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by Dave W (edited September 05, 2003).]

BULLSEYE BILL
09-05-2003, 11:37 AM
wow,... Thanks for your work Dave!

Bill

usahq
09-05-2003, 05:41 PM
Okay, where do you get Wintergreen oil?

usahq
09-05-2003, 05:44 PM
Not that it really matters, but I thought that grease patties made all the bees smell "young" so that when the mites quest, all bees smell like suitable hosts and the mites are more likely to enter an old bee thinking that it is really a young bee. Mites are looking for young bees that will live long enough yet for the mite to do it's reproductive thing. Old bees who are nearing their death anyway, don't allow enough time for reproduction, etc.

BULLSEYE BILL
09-05-2003, 05:55 PM
>Okay, where do you get Wintergreen oil?


Health food stores.

BjornBee
09-05-2003, 06:36 PM
usahq,

I don't think anyone is disputing the smell when comparing the young and old bees and the mites search for young bees etc.
The conversation sometimes branches in all directions. Point being that grease patties can also be used to medicate with chemicals, distribute essential oils that are being tried, used for food suppliments, etc. Yes the confusion in selecting young bees is important in relationship of grease patties, but along with other medications or additives comes the ability to actually kill the mites also. Some of these procedures are more along the proven path as others, but its good so many people are trying different things. Especially when I'm not paying for all the mistakes.

[This message has been edited by BjornBee (edited September 05, 2003).]

Robert Brenchley
09-06-2003, 05:48 AM
I don't think the mites can get into the tracheae of older bees; I'm sure I read somewhere that they have to enter in the first few days.

------------------
Regards,

Robert Brenchley

RSBrenchley@aol.com
Birmingham UK

Dave W
09-06-2003, 08:26 AM
Greetings usaha,

As BULLSEYE BILL said, local health food stores may have wintergreen oil.

Another source is LorAnn Oils.
See Forum 1, 000373

Dave W

tarheit
09-06-2003, 08:28 PM
You can also get wintergreen oil from Simpsons bee supplies. $8 for 4oz. http://www.homestead.com/beekeepers/Simpsons.html

I you need a large amount. Or can go in with several people you can also get it from lebermuth (www.lebermuth.com) Minimum order is something like 12 pounds.
I've still got some extra from my order, so if anyone wants a pound, contact me. (Fewer people wanted some locally then we originally though).

Also, I'd advise against adding TM to greese patties myself. First it's being blamed at least for being a contributing factor causing TM resistance in foulbrood. 2nd, you may not get the correct application rate when fed in greese patties because they don't consume it fast enough. (And technically it's against the drug's label)

Daisy
09-07-2003, 07:28 AM
I ordered my oils from glorybee, wintergreen was about 12 dollars for 16 ounces.

Dave W
09-07-2003, 09:33 AM
Greetings . . .

LorAnn Oils 2002/2003 Catalog:

WINTERGREEN OIL - National Formulary Grade
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
1oz - $3.99
4oz - $12.40
160z - $42.00
[/list]

WINTERGREEN OIL - Synthetic
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
1oz - $2.25
4oz -$6.00
16oz - $18.00
1gal - $110.00
[/list]

Guess if you really want to stay w/ a TRUE "natural" treatment, a synthetic should be avoided???

Dave W

[This message has been edited by Dave W (edited September 07, 2003).]

Michael Bush
09-07-2003, 04:48 PM
Both the synthetic and the natural are methyl salicylate. Same chemical. I suppose there is the possiblilty of other contaminates in the synthetic that are not natural and the poosibility of other contamniates that are natural in the natural version. I bought the natural version. Didn't know there was a cheaper one out there. http://www.beesource.com/ubb/smile.gif

usahq
09-12-2003, 08:22 PM
&gt;&gt;...GREASE PATTIES w/ WINTERGREEN oil and SALT seem to have an effect on BOTH Varroa and Tracheal mites during times when brood IS present, and has devastating results during broodless times of the year.

Devasting results on the bees, brood, or the mites?

Dave W
09-13-2003, 08:15 AM
Greetings usahq,

Please click-on the link, and read the actual source of the quote.

The sentence says, both V-mites and T-mites are "devasted" during "broodless times" of the year.

Do you agree?

I dont know!

Dave W

Dave W
09-22-2003, 07:48 AM
Greetings . . .

Here is a GREASE PATTY recipe/method told to me by a beekeeper at a craft fair.

Mix 1/2 sugar and 1/2 Crisco and place into LID from cottage cheese container. Use 1" square of "blue jeans" and press into middle of "patty". Apply 8 to 10 drops of PEPPERMINT oil to 'blue jeans' wick. Insert thru bottom entrance and leave on bottom board all winter.

Will it work?

Dave W

WineMan
09-22-2003, 06:39 PM
Itll work at attracting beetles

Dave W
09-23-2003, 03:37 PM
Greetings WineMan,

Are you referring to the fact that grease patties, in general, attract Small Hive Beetles, or do you see other problems?

thanx,
Dave W

WineMan
09-23-2003, 07:43 PM
Ive never seen or heard of two parts of the idea:

(1) Putting it on the bottom board and
(2) Using the material as a wick.

I assume the theory is that it will release vapors through the winter. Not sure how much faith I would have in the idea to begin with but the grease patties in general will attract beetles. Especially if there arent bees actively working them.

Generally speaking I think you would have more luck putting the patties with or without essential oil over the brood nest where bees will go after them. I think patties do a good job on tracheal mites.