Grease Patties for Tracheal Mite Control
Recipe #1
4.4 pounds (1814.4 g) of granulated sugar (sucrose)
3 ounces (88.8 ml) of corn oil
1.5 Pounds (680.4 g) of vegetable shortening (Crisco)
1 pound (463.4 g) of honey
1/2 Pound (226.8 g) of mineral salt (pink color) – approx.$7-$8 for 50 # from feed stores.
2.2 ounces(65 ml) of wintergreen oil.
One batch will treat about 8-10 hives, depending on number of brood chambers, size of patties, etc. We place 5 small patties (about 2 ozs each) on top of each brood chamber and a 1/2″ [1.27 cm] “roll” across the entrance, about 3/4″ [1.9 cm] back in (otherwise, rain will wash it away).
Recipe #2
Mix four cups of granulated sugar, two cups of shortening and one of the following: 21 cc of wintergreen oil or 21 cc of patchouli oil or 21 cc or tea tree oil or 11.5 cc of each of two oils (e.g., wintergreen + patchouli). (This rate is 1/4 oz. of essential oils per pound of sugar and grease). The components are thoroughly mixed (wear gloves or use a large spoon, as wintergreen oil in such concentrations may be toxic; patchouli oil is not toxic). The mixture is then made up into 4 ounce patties (like a small, 3.5″ hamburger) which are divided and placed on top of each brood box (about one half pound or 8 ozs. of grease patties per hive; one batch treats 5.8 hives).