With 3,500 bee colonies, he is the state's largest resident beekeeper. The first year we had the tracheal mite we lost 1,000 colonies. On the recommendation of researchers, Tubbs placed patties of shortening, sugar and antibiotics in the hives. He said oil from the patties confuses the mites and disrupts their life cycle. Collison said the only chemical registered for tracheal mite control is menthol crystals, which are allowed to vaporize in the hive.
Bees inhale the fumes, killing the mites.
Success of this treatment depends on factors such as temperature, exposure time and placement in the hive. After the problem with tracheal mites was in hand, varroa mites struck. Tubbs began treating his hives with Apistan Strips, plastic strips filled with a pesticide that bees brush against, killing the mites on their bodies. This treatment is not used when bees are producing honey. Tubbs caught the mite infestation by chance before it became a problem.