Essential Oils Treatment for Varroa Mites

by Karen Shade.

This recipe makes 1 quart, which I keep in a glass canning jar.  The oils breakdown plastics so it’s best to mix and store in glass containers. 

½ tsp Wintergreen

½ tsp Tea Tree

¼ tsp Lemongrass

½ C Water

Mix on the lowest speed of a blender for 5 minutes.  This will emulsify the oils.  The resulting mixture will be cloudy.  Add water to get to 1 quart.  I typically make a new batch each Spring and use throughout the Summer and Fall.  If the mixture is no longer cloudy, just re-emulsify in your blender.

To Feed:  Measure out 1 quart of sugar syrup (1:1 water and sugar) and add ¼ C of the essential oils.  Make a 1 quart syrup + ¼ C essential oil batch for each hive.  I feed each hive this mixture once per month.