Unfortunately, highly effective treatments for tracheal mites are not available. At the present time the only chemical we have approved for treatment is menthol (which is a crystalline alcohol from oil of peppermint). The treatment involves placement of a small screen bag (~ 7 in x 7 in) containing 50 g (1.8 oz) of menthol in a hive. The hive must not be any larger than 2 deep hive bodies and there should be no honey supers on the hive. The screen bag should be placed on top of the frames of the upper hive body, unless temperatures during the day are 80^oF. If high daytime temperatures occur, put the bag on the bottom board. Treatment duration should be 15-20 days. Also treatment will only be effective if daytime temperatures are above 65^oF. Menthol for hive treatments is available from bee supply companies.

The other treatment we recommend is the use of an "extender patty". This is a grease patty made of 1 part Crisco (or similar shortening) and 2 parts sugar (table sugar). Mix the ingredients together and make a patty approximately 8 inches in diameter and about 3/4 of an inch in thickness (6 - 8 oz.). The patty is placed between the hive bodies and left in place until it is gone. Grease patties can be used after a menthol treatment or instead of the menthol. The patty interferes with mite reproduction by preventing mites from successfully locating new hosts (bees) to infest. Ideally both treatments should be used, but either one can help to reduce infestation levels and increase colony survival. In the fall we now recommend adding terramycin to the grease patty to help reduce bacterial disease problems and general colony stress. The patties are placed in the hive at the same time the hives are treated for Varroa mites. The recipe for medicated grease patties is 5 lbs sugar, 2 1/2 lbs Crisco and one 6.4 oz package of terramycin (available from bee supply dealers). The recipe will make approximately 15 patties.