View Full Version : menthol paper towel method
New beekeeper here. Wanting to use the paper towel method to control tracheal mites. Wondering when to do it (can't really expect to use the crystals as there is NO WAY I can guarentee the type of weather it requires... not in Washington!). Just got my bees the first of May so no supers and not really even close.
clintonbemrose
05-31-2005, 05:33 PM
I use to use them all year even in the winter here in Michigan but now I use FGMO and most queens are bread to resist the T mites
Clint
mark williams
05-31-2005, 07:33 PM
I've used them for the last 2 season's & havn't had any problem with "T" mites,Although as Clinton said bee's are being breed for resistance,The T mite's are still a problem in some areas,So I'd rather med- than take a chance.
Also here in Al,I treat the 1st part of Sept.>>>>Mark
eris,
I'm not sure when you put 1/2 shop paper towel in, but just soaking them in canola oil will take care of the T. mites. The bees tear the towels up to take them out and get the oil on them and the mites can figure out which are the young bees, which is what they want.
Any oil will do, but canola works better than most of them.
This is what they told us in bee school.
Pugs