Controlling Tracheal Mites (Acari: Tarsonemidae) in Colonies of Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) with Vegetable Oil and Menthol

The efficacy of vegetable oil and menthol was tested in controlling tracheal mites (Acarapis woodi [Rennie)) in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Each of 40 bee colonies was given one of four treatments: (1) vegetable oil, (2) menthol, (3) vegetable oil and menthol, or (4) no treatment (control). Colonies were sampled for percentage bees infested and severity of infestation per infested bee on nine dates from 14 February to 7 August 1991. Treatments were applied on 27 February and removed on 18 April. On 3 April, mite infestation was reduced in the oil + menthol treatment. On every sampling date after 3 April, infestation was reduced by all oil or menthol treatments. Compared with menthol, vegetable oil gave equivalent mite control on all sampling dates. From 3 April through 9 May, infestation was lowest in the oil + menthol treatment. Except for one sampling date, severity of infestation per infested bee was unaffected by treatments.