Menthol reduces winter populations of tracheal mites, Acarapis woodi, in honey bees from Mexico and Nebraska

Three dosages of menthol crystals were applied in screen packets on the bottom boards of honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies east of Soto La Marina, Tamps., Mexico for 74 days. The highest of the three dosages tested, 50 mg/packet, gave the best control of the tracheal mites, (Rennie) (82%). Fifty-three percent control was obtained in the colonies given packets with 25 mg of menthol. In Nebraska, plastic petri dishes containing 25 mg of solidified menthol per dish were placed on the top bars of the upper hive body of overwintered colonies for 69 days. Ninety percent control of mites was obtained in colonies given either two or three petri dishes, and 72% control was achieved in colonies receiving one petri dish.