Types of Lemongrass Oil

bjosephd · Mar 24, 2018

I can't remember where I read it...

...but I'm sure I read somewhere that there are a few different types of Lemongrass Oil and that one is far better/more suitable than the other/s for attracting bees to bait hives.

Anybody have any ideas or knowledge on this one?

BJD

Poly Hive · Mar 24, 2018

I use essential oil from Amazon. Seems to do the trick. Coupled with some lovely black brood comb of course so which is the attractant?

PH

bjosephd · Mar 24, 2018

Poly Hive said:
I use essential oil from Amazon. Seems to do the trick. Coupled with some lovely black brood comb of course so which is the attractant?

PH

Indeed! I think the brood comb definitely does the lion's share of being the attractant.

But still I'm sure I read somewhere different lemon grasses with all latin names etc and whatnot and one of them was the one you were 'meant' to use.

Hivemaker. · Mar 24, 2018

Get some Cymbopogon citratus.

There are umpteen threads about it on the forum... here are a couple.

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17131&highlight=lemon+grass+oil

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36109&highlight=lemon+grass+oil

bjosephd · Mar 24, 2018

Hivemaker. said:
Get some Cymbopogon citratus.

There are umpteen threads about it on the forum... here are a couple.

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17131&highlight=lemon+grass+oil

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36109&highlight=lemon+grass+oil

Thanks HM

Make that umpteen and one!

BJD

MartinL · Mar 24, 2018

I pinch it!

Haven't a clue what/where it comes from.

Just know that SWMBO uses it in her soaps and doesn't miss the odd 5MM, (thinks it evaporates quicker that other essential oils)!

Swift Nick · Mar 24, 2018

I used naissance lemongrass oil from Amazon last year, The oil was in an empty bait hive, as I had no comb & I caught a swarm.
It’s about £5.99, I only put about 4 to 5 drops in.
Good luck.

Newbeeneil · Mar 24, 2018

This from Holland and Barret caught me 7 swarms last year 5 of which had no old comb just foundationless frames with starter strips.

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/s...VwcYbCh2hxQtNEAAYASAAEgJ7N_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Hivemaker. · Mar 24, 2018

Newbeeneil said:
This from Holland and Barret caught me 7 swarms last year 5 of which had no old comb just foundationless frames with starter strips.

Cymbopogon citratus.

Zante · Mar 25, 2018

Poly Hive said:
I use essential oil from Amazon. Seems to do the trick. Coupled with some lovely black brood comb of course so which is the attractant?

PH

How do you use the oil? A few drops on the comb? On the frame? On the trap itself?

Consider I'm placing my first traps this year, and I'm using poly nucs.

Erichalfbee · Mar 25, 2018

A few drops on the top bars
Painting the inside of the box with propolis helps too I think

Popparand · Mar 26, 2018

And when would be the best time to put bait hives and swarm traps out? End April? I assume the essential oil doesn't last for ever.

maddydog · Mar 26, 2018

Popparand said:
And when would be the best time to put bait hives and swarm traps out? End April? I assume the essential oil doesn't last for ever.

When your own hives are building nicely. I put the lemon grass oil onto some absorbent card and top it up every couple of weeks

oliver90owner · Mar 27, 2018

Just before the swarming season starts! ... April, May, June.... Who knows?

Types of Lemongrass Oil

Help Support Beekeeping & Apiculture Forum:

bjosephd

Drone Bee

Poly Hive

Queen Bee

bjosephd

Drone Bee

Hivemaker.

Queen Bee

bjosephd

Drone Bee

MartinL

Queen Bee

Swift Nick

House Bee

Newbeeneil

Queen Bee

Hivemaker.

Queen Bee

Zante

Field Bee

Erichalfbee

Super Moderator

Popparand

Field Bee

maddydog

Drone Bee

oliver90owner

Queen Bee

Similar threads

Latest posts