Dane, I have a nebulizer that I diffuse essential oils into the air. I love the pure feeling and smell of what issues from the diffuser. It wouldn't work in the apiary I don't think, the mist would be lost in the outside air. LOL. Best of a beautiful day, great health, lovin' life. Cindi
Hey Cindi,
Nebulizers are nice eh? "Raw aromatherapy" (much better than heating the oils imho).
Now, in the apiary - come on girl, put that positive attitude to work towards
solutions. One need not limit apiary phytotherapy to essential oils delivered via nebulizers (I listed a couple of other methods in my post). But, even if so, it could still work <puts on engineering hat> ok, here's one idea - put a tube around the end of your nebulizer (mine uses 1/4") and snake that into the hive. Either prop the lid slightly so as not to collapse the tube or, if this were an effective and often reoccurring treatment, drill a 1/4" hole in the top chamber (of course closed with cork, etc., when not in use). My nebulizers have variable output air-pumps and can literally put out a thick fog of essential oil mist. I've electrical outlets there on my deck as well.. so wouldn't even require an extension cord. An enterprising individual could set up a mini-solar panel driven air pump, timers, etc., etc.,. Or, low tech, a cotton ball with drops of essential oil placed in the hive would naturally diffuse in warm environs.
Now, as far as dosage, efficacy, contraindications, side-effects, etc., - that should be thoroughly explored prior to even considering delivery. There are many studies/resources available, monographs, therapeutic guides to herbal medicines as relates to humans (& some animal husbandry as well) but I've not yet found
ayurvedics for the apiary. First rule = do no harm. :)
At any rate, very interesting stuff (for me) and sorry to derail this thread on a tangent (just ignore me, lol). I intend to do some research and (careful) experimentation on this, sooner than later if it becomes necessary ~ else just as a preventive treatment in
very dilute applications. I can see a lot of very low-risk (non-toxic) anti-fungal & anti-bacterial options utilizing essential oils from plants and flowers with which bees already have routine contact. If fungus, yeast, etc., were a real problem it would probably be a good idea to remove the infected frames, etc., for treatment, leaving just a little residual essential oil (as opposed to fumigating the bees). Hmmm, I'm Jones'n for some alfalfa, fennel and thyme flower essential oil blend. :mrgreen:
Cheers,
Dane