How to Treat Varroa Mites With Essential Oils

Varroa mites afflict honeybee hives and can kill colonies. Some populations of these mites have developed immunity to pesticides. As of 2010, researchers are looking for ways to use essential oils to kill or deter the mites without harming the bees. Organic beekeepers might not use pesticides anyway, but even large-scale commercial honey producers are seriously investigating the alternatives. Which essential oils work best remains unclear, but research so far indicates that almost any essential oil---except that derived from thyme---kills mites without harming bees. One way to use essential oils is in a syrup that bees eat.

Things You'll Need

• Wintergreen, peppermint, or spearmint essential oil
• Cane sugar
• Pan
• Long-handled spoon
• Feeding containers

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Heat 2 pints of water and 2 lbs. of sugar in a pan, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

   • 2

     Allow the syrup to cool and add 10 to 25 drops of an essential oil.

   • 3

     Fill feeding containers with the mixture and place them above the brood boxes in each hive.

   • 4

     Make a small trail of syrup from each feeding container to help bees find them.