For a full treatment you need two strips per hive approx 2-3 weeks apart

The advantage of Thymomite strips

  Easy to use - high efficacy - does not determine resistance - does not pollute - organic product.

As soon as Thymol is evaporated bees shred the strip and remove it.

Active Ingredient: 99.6% pure Thymol  Chemical Class: Essential oil

Method of Application: Thymol has been applied to beehives using various methods, including powdered Thymol and liquid Thymol. 

The Thymol impregnated strip made for easy application, while at the same time providing a controlled release of vapors.

Cut one strip in half and place it on top of the frames -right and left from the brood nest, place  a fresh one approx 2-3 weeks later if necessary. Use half strip as a treatment in a 4-5 frame  colony.

Applications can be made in any season in which all applicable restrictions for use can be followed. Do not use when surplus honey supers are in place.

Thymol strips should be used in early spring or autumn after brood rearing has finished, but when temperatures are above 15ºC / 59ºF.

Do not use strips at temperatures above 33ºC / 90ºF. For best effect - daytime 15º-20ºC / 59º-68ºF, without falling below 12ºC / 54ºF for long periods.  

Screened bottom should be closed while Thymomite is being applied. Reduce entrance to approx 15 cm / 6 inches.

Operator Safety: Thymol is generally safe to use and apply. Rubber gloves should be worn when handling Thymomite, because it can irritate the skin. KEEP OUT OF TEACH OF CHILDREN and avoid inhaling vapors.

Residues: In the EU, Thymol is a group II non-toxic veterinary drug that does not require a MRL. Nevertheless, Thymol does leave taste residues in honey and wax, although the residues do not persist for long periods of time.

Resistance: There are no published reports of the resistance of Varroa to Thymol.

Please be aware before you obtain or use the material you are assuming responsibility for ascertaining the legality of it's contents in your geographic location.

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Thymol strips as mould prevention

Thymol is only slightly soluble in water, but it is readily soluble in surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol), which is ethanol to which a small amount of methanol has been added, to render it unfit to drink. It is normally used to sterilize surfaces and to cleanse skin abrasions and to toughen skin.

R.O.B Manley propagated the idea of using Thymol in syrup intended for winter-feeding in order to prevent fermentation and the growth of mould.
Use 3 Thymol strips dissolved in 150 ml of surgical spirit to make the stock solution. 

After Thymol is dissolved remove the empty strips. Then add 15 ml (a half fluid ounce) to 50 kg (112 lbs) of sugar, which you dissolve in 33 liter (8.75 US Gal.) of water for direct use as winter-feed.

A syringe is useful for measuring out the Thymol solution for addition to the sugar syrup.  

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Thymol vapor kills the mites and doesn't harm your bees. 

Thymol treatment showed promise as a control agent against Varroa and tracheal mites (HBTM) in a 1998 study conducted at the University of Guelph. Thymol should not be used during honey flow.

Thymol is a relatively safe substance to handle with gloves (datasheet), but is very pungent and therefore best kept out of the house.

The Thymol crystals have recorded a very high effectiveness (86,7% a 99,9%, average = 95,5%) while bees and brood showed a very good tolerability towards the treatment.

Thymol is not a winter treatment and need warm temperatures to be efficient. 

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For a very successful winter treatment visit our Vaporizer pages.

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