Eucalyptus Oil from Ojai Valley Bee Farm

15 ml Pure Eucalyptus Oil

15ml

$10.00 each

*EUCALYPT OIL: Dinkum oil. Volatile oil from fresh leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labill and of some other species of Eucalyptus, Myrtaceae. A dwarf species, E. dumosa A. Cunn. ex Schauer, called Mallee in Australia, is richest in oil of Eucalyptus. Contains: 70-80% eucalyptol (cineole ) (#3840); a-pinene (#7319), phellandrene (#7060); terpineol (#8996); citronellal (#2301, 2302) ; geranyl acetate (#4263); eudesmol; eudesmyl acetate; piperitone (#7348); volatile aldehydes (principally isovaleric ); E. Guenther, The Essentiial Oils, vol. 4 (Van Nostrand, N.Y., 1950) pp. 437-525. Colorless to pale yellow liquid; chjaracteristic camphoaceous odor; pungent, spicy, cooling taste. d25/25: 0.905-0.925. Does not solidify below -15.4°. aD: -5° to +5°. n20/D: 1.458 to 1.470. Almost insoluble in water; soluble in 5 vols 70% alcohol; miscible with abs alcohol, oils, fats. Keep well closed, cool and protected from light. Therapeutic category: expectorant, anthelmintic, local antiseptic. Therapeutic. category (Veterinary): inhalation expectorant; wound dressing

The ratio of Eucalyptus oil to mineral oil in the fogger is: One quart of mineral oil to 1 fl. oz of Eucalyptus Oil.

*Beekeepers need to find alternative treatments to maintain control of the diseases affecting our bees. One such new alternative is the utilization of non-synthetic miticides such as mineral oil. FGMO has three definite modes of action. It interferes with the mite's ability to breathe; it interferes with the mite's ability to cling to their meal ticket, the honey bee host; and FGMO activates the hygienic behavior of the bees soon after the bees get FGMO on their legs. When the bees' hygienic behavior is activated, the bees spread FGMO over their bodies. All races of honey bees have hygienic behavior, some more than others. It is very important to stimulate their hygienic behavior because bees with highly developed hygienic behavior pick off mites and remove them off their bodies. Many of these mites are injured by the bees and drop off to die, while others that drop to the bottom board climb back on to the bees. Mites lose the ability to climb back on bees treated with FGMO. Mites that fall due to the action of FGMO become disabled and die before they can renew their relationship with their host. In addition, in hives provided with screened bottom boards, mites that drop off become food for ants.

*by DR. PEDRO P. RODRIGUEZ

*Continued development of resistance of honey bee mites to synthetic pesticides, contamination of hive products with synthetic pesticides and spread of the small hive beetle in a similar pattern as varroa mites did on their arrival, has given investigators additional reasons for continued studies in search of safe, non-toxic means to add to existing tools for integrated pest management of honey bees. Most beekeepers accept with resignation that honey bee mites will be a permanent resident of our hives due to a variety of reasons (development of resistance by the mites to treatment, improper or no treatment procedures on the part of some beekeepers, repopulation via feral colonies, robbing of disease-weakened colonies at times of dearth of nectar, mite-infested worker and drone drifting, treatment failures, lowering of the bee's natural resistance due to combined affliction with other parasites and/or illnesses).

*by DR. PEDRO P. RODRIGUEZ

*James W. Amrine, Jr.
Division of Plant and Soil Sciences,
P. O. Box 6108, West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26505-6108 USA

Links to information on essential oils as it relates to Varroa mites:

Essential oils for varroa

Essential oils modes of action