an aqueous solution containing 4 - 8 % glacial acetic acid is commercially available in drug stores as vinegar ( ch 3 cooh + h 2 o ). it is theorized that the vinegar will upset the physiological balance of the insect and may also be effective in upsetting the circulatory system . particularly when the vinegar is combined with limonene extract and particularly the mint extract which appears to be more effective , this mixture penetrates the spiracles causing an insult to the body systems of the insect which is incompatible with life . the oil acts as a carrier for the mixture to enable penetration through the spiracles . a collection of 672 active honey bees were taken from a hive and placed in an 11 . 97 ml glass container with an 11 . 43 cm diameter opening . the container was covered with a cotton mesh to allow for ventilation . some bees clustered at various areas of the container while others flew about . a great buzzing noise was audible from the container . the bees were then sprayed through the mesh opening with the named solution i . within twenty seconds , most of the bees flew to the bottom of the container and after two minutes , forty seconds , two bees maintained flying ability . at three minutes , 22 seconds , only one bee was flying . at four minutes , none of the bees had flying ability . buzzing noise remained strong . at six minutes , abdomens having rapid in - and - out movement ( one hundred ten over a one minute count ) exhibited great inability to walk and buzzing noise was less audible . all of the bees exhibited the same behavior , some sooner than others . some attempted to fly but could only flap their wings . some attempted to walk but could not hold themselves up and collapsed . they formed an almost perfect ring on the outer portion of the base of the container , piling up on one another . the stronger and more resilient went toward the center base and attempted normal activity . after fifty - two minutes , none of the bees were able to walk and many appeared dead . the active bees continued to crawl over one another , some still attempting to spread their wings . prior to their death , they took a supine position , had rapid erratic movement of their extremities and curled the distal portion of their bodies inward once or twice . they gradually become more inactive and passive . total cessation of all movement of the 672 bees took three and one - half hours . a collection of 127 active honey bees were taken from a hive and placed in a 3 . 78 liter container with a 9 . 53 cm opening that was covered with cotton mesh to allow for ventilation . twenty - five bees clung to the mesh covering , others clustered at various areas of the container . the named solution was sprayed through the mesh opening . the bees at the mesh opening rapidly dropped ; some hanging on to one another forming a chain . all but seven bees dropped to the bottom of the container and exhibited the same behavior as described in example 1 . after twenty minutes , three bees remained at the mesh opening . after thirty minutes , one bee remained at the opening . after fifty minutes , the last bee dropped to the bottom of the container . prior to death , all exhibited the same behavior as described in example 1 . when named spray was used outdoors and sprayed directly at the vespa ( wasp , yellow jacket ) and apis ( bee ), they became disoriented and had erratic flying behavior . they were unable to fly straight , some dropping to the ground and others attempting to fly away . they seemed to communicate the danger to one another . visible insects would not come near the sprayed area . during the late summer , the vespa ( wasp , yellow jacket ) were more aggressive , especially when humans would dine outside . they were more difficult to control so spraying became more effective when the dining or sitting area was sprayed prior to human use . when the spray solution was used in this manner , there seemed to be an invisible wall and when the vespa ( wasp , yellow jacket ) or apis ( bee ) would come close , the area seemed to have an invisible wall which made the insects fly away as soon as they came in contact with the sprayed area . occasionally one or two bees or wasps would penetrate the sprayed area but would leave immediately when sprayed again , either by dropping or flying away . it was also noted in the open outdoor area that the spray was effective against other insects , including the mosquito which was effected in apparently the same manner in which the honey bees and yellow jackets were effected , although clinical studies were not conducted thereon . one hundred thirty - eight ( 138 ) active bees were taken from a hive and were placed in a 3 . 78 ml . glass container with a 9 . 53 cm diameter opening that was covered with cotton gauze to allow ventilation . the bees were flying about . a loud buzzing noise was audible . the bees were mist sprayed once with a solution ii : after 5 seconds , bees were dropping and flying to base of container . after 1 minute , eleven ( 11 ) of the bees were at the center of base of container . the remaining bees formed a ring at the outer aspects of the base of container and took a supine position . after 2 minutes , all the bees were exhibiting the same pre - death behavior as described in example number 1 . after 3 minutes , all but six ( 6 ) of the bees appear dead . these six bees had slight movement of extremities . after 9 minutes , two ( 2 ) bees continue slight movement of extremities . after 10 minutes there was no movement . they had a shrivelled appearance . death was instant for all but six of the bees . the anise mixture had a very pleasant aroma . one hundred twenty - seven ( 127 ) honey bees were taken from a hive and placed in a 3 . 78 ml . glass container with a 9 . 53 cm diameter opening that was covered with cotton gauze to allow ventilation . the bees were loudly buzzing and flying about . solution iii consisted of : 10 cc of 70 % solution of c 2 h 5 oh . this mixture was further blended with 10 cc 5 % acetic acid and 10 cc of h 2 o . the mixture , while not foul smelling , did not have a pleasant aroma . the bees were mist sprayed with solution iii . after 2 minutes , all bees remain active . six ( 6 ) bees remain at top of container at gauze opening . after 3 minutes , bees were sprayed a second time . two remain at top of container . most remain active . one bee attempting to fly . all bees have rapid erratic movement . after 7 minutes , two ( 2 ) bees remain at gauze of container opening . one ( 1 ) bee was attempting to fly . after 9 minutes , no bees at top of container . buzzing noise less audible . the bees formed a ring at outer aspects of base of container . after 10 minutes faint buzzing noise audible . after 20 minutes ring formation at base of container unchanged . all of the bees appear to be dying . all are in supine position exhibiting the same pre - death behavior as described in example number 1 . after 36 minutes the bees appear to be shrivelling , all in a supine position . after 90 minutes , eight ( 8 ) bees have slight movement . one ( 1 ) bee attempted to walk . all others are dead . one hundred twenty - one ( 121 ) active honey bees were taken from a hive and placed in a glass 3 . 78 ml . container with a 9 . 53 cm diameter opening that was covered with cotton gauze to allow ventilation . loud buzzing noise was audible . bees were then sprayed with solution iv : 1 part glacial acetic acid . within five ( 5 ) minutes the buzzing noise decreased . some bees attempted flying . bees were mist sprayed a second time . fourteen ( 14 ) minutes later , bees had formed a ring at base of container and exhibited the same behavior prior to death as described in example number 1 . after 41 minutes all bees were dead . one hundred twenty - eight ( 128 ) active honey bees were taken from a hive and placed in a 3 . 78 ml . glass container with a 9 . 53 cm diameter opening that was covered with cotton gauze to allow ventilation . loud buzzing sound was audible . the bees were then sprayed with solution v : 50 % pure mint and pure peppermint extract ( essential oils in ethyl alcohol solution ) and 50 % h 2 o . after 3 minutes , loud buzzing noise was audible and some bees attempted to fly . after 5 minutes buzzing continued . activity slowed , but all bees are active . after 1 minute activity resumed . within 30 minutes bees actively flying about . one hundred twenty - one ( 121 ) active honey bees were taken from a hive and placed in a 3 . 78 ml . glass container that was covered with cotton gauze to allow ventilation . bees were then sprayed with solution vi : after spraying bees , noise remained loud . all the bees were active , none were flying , some were falling to base of container . after 1 minute , bees were given three mist sprays . all bees were active , crawling on all areas of jar making a great humming noise ; none are grouped together . after 3 minutes some bees are clustering on bottom of container . after 5 minutes , more bees dropped to base of container . noise very audible . bees continue to drop , cluster , and crawl over one another , remaining active . many remain at top of container opening clinging to gauze . after 13 minutes , more bees clustering at base grouping together at left of base , some bees flying . after 25 minutes , all but eleven ( 11 ) bees were at the base of container . after 26 minutes , fifteen ( 15 ) bees actively climbing sides of container ; none are flying . seven ( 7 ) bees remain at top of container ; buzzing noise decreasing . after 29 minutes most of bees at base of container , crawling over one another . after 30 minutes , five ( 5 ) bees at top of container clinging to cotton gauze . after 34 minutes , one ( 1 ) active bee at top of container , buzzing audible , some bees attempting to fly . after 36 minutes , one ( 1 ) bee flying and one ( 1 ) bee remaining at cotton gauze . after 38 minutes , seven ( 7 ) bees attempting to crawl up sides of container . after 39 minutes , bees clustering in an oval formation at container base and up one side of container . after 46 minutes all bees clustered together . one bee attempting to fly . after 54 minutes , three ( 3 ) bees attempting activity . all remaining bees clustered at base . after 57 minutes , four ( 4 ) bees away from group attempting normal activity . after 64 minutes , eight ( 8 ) bees left cluster and attempted activity . bees were given 10 mist sprays . one bee attempted flying , nine ( 9 ) bees attempting activity . all other bees clustered on half of base of container . after 1 hour 17 minutes , one ( 1 ) bee attempting great activity , two ( 2 ) bees attempting activity . all other bees forming smaller clusters . after 1 hour 22 minutes , clustering in two groups at base of container - some attempting to leave their cluster and trying to attempt normal activity . after 1 hour 25 minutes , seven ( 7 ) bees attempting activity , they remained clustered at base , many have movement . after 1 hour 38 minutes , seven ( 7 ) bees still attempting activity , remaining bees have little movement . one bee is flying . after 1 hour 55 minutes , the bees are gradually making recovery . bees are moving and clustering up side of container . after 6 hours bees becoming more active with greater attempt at normal activity . no bees appear dead . after 9 hours 30 minutes all bees have fully attained and resumed normal activity , flying about and buzzing loudly . one hundred fifty - three ( 153 ) active honey bees were taken from a hive and placed in a 3 . 78 ml . glass container with 9 . 53 diameter opening which was covered with cotton gauze to allow ventilation . solution vii : 1 cc pure olive oil was dissolved in 5 cc of 190 % proof pure c 2 h 5 oh . this mixture was further combined with 5 cc pure glacial acetic acid and 200 cc of h 2 o . after 1 minute all bees sat in the base of container . after 4 minutes , five ( 5 ) bees returned to top of container . after 6 minutes bees have less activity , very audible buzzing noise . after 10 minutes , two ( 2 ) bees at top of container . remaining bees formed two clusters at base of container . noise less audible . after 17 minutes , one bee attempted flying . many attempting to spread wings . after 25 minutes exhibiting less activity . one bee flying . twelve bees are now in one cluster , remaining bees had clustered at opposite side of container . eight bees are attempting activity . after 34 minutes , six bees are attempting activity . two bees attempting to fly in short spans . after 35 minutes bees were sprayed again . fourteen bees attempted to climb opposite side of container where bees are clustered . after 45 minutes , all bees clustered on one side of container . two bees attempting activity . one bee attempting to fly . after 1 hour 10 minutes , three bees appeared dead in supine position , exhibiting the same pre - death behavior as described in example number 1 . after 1 hour 20 minutes , all bees completely immobilized , all grouped together at outer aspects of base of container having very little movement . after 4 hours 40 minutes , three bees died . all remaining 150 bees resumed normal activity , flying about and buzzing loudly . bees were then placed outside to fly away . some bees did not leave container . some flew away and three bees died after leaving container . approximately 90 active honey bees were taken from a hive and were placed in a 3 . 78 ml glass container that was covered with cotton gauze to allow for ventilation . bees were mist sprayed with this solution . many of the bees flew to the base of the container . many bees clung to gauze at the top of the container . bees remained active at base of container . none flying . after 1 minute , three additional mist sprays were given . bees very active , crawling over all areas of container . audibly loud buzzing . none of the bees grouped . after 3 minutes , some bees were clustered at the base of the container . none are flying . after 5 minutes , bees continue to drop from cotton gauze covering to the base of the container . many still remain clinging to cotton gauze . after 14 minutes , more bees clustering at one side of base . more of the bees are grouped together . some flying activity . after 30 minutes , recovery activity increasing . ten ( 10 ) mist sprays given through mesh gauze . all but nine ( 9 ) bees flew and fell to the base of container . grouping and crawling over one another . after 50 minutes , no bees at top of container . one bee attempting to fly . two bees attempting activity . after 1 hour , bees are clustered and quiet . three bees away from others -- attempting normal activity . no flying ability . bees moving in a cluster up one side of glass container . after 2 hours 30 minutes , bees becoming more active . normal activity increasing . none of the bees appear dead . after 3 hours 30 minutes , all of the bees have recovered . flying about container , buzzing loudly . normal activity resumed . the initial spray of this solution repelled the bees . additional sprays immobilized them . bees were taken outside to fly away . two bees stayed initially in the glass container ; three bees flew out of container to the ground and died . the remaining bees flew into the environment . one hundred twenty - four ( 124 ) active honey bees were taken from a hive and placed in a 3 . 78 ml glass container with an opening of 9 . 53 cm that was covered with cotton gauze to allow for ventilation . bees very active , buzzing loudly and flying about glass container . within five ( 5 ) seconds , bees dropped and flew to the base of container forming a ring at the outer aspects of container . all of the bees took a supine position . after 1 minute 50 seconds , all of the bees were exhibiting pre - death behavior . after 2 minutes 45 seconds , five ( 5 ) bees have slight movement of their extremities ; remaining bees appear dead . after 4 minutes , three ( 3 ) bees continue to have slight movement of extremities . after 8 minutes , all movement had ceased . all of the bees had a shriveled appearance . with one mist spray of above described solution , death was instant for all but five ( 5 ) bees , who maintained slight movement .
an insect repellent and insecticide formulation for repelling and killing insects . the formulation includes a volume of water and essential ingredients of acetic acid and a limonene , particularly a mint extract .