Bee repellent

[rook66]

Do you also use it during inspection?

Yes, a spoonful rubbed into hands is enough, coconut oil is very soothing on the skin. I understand it is widely used in the pharma industry as a carrier.

 

[polomadh]

Bitter Almond oil, not the stuff you can get for cooking, but the essential oil, which makes your eyes water. If you put a few drops on a rag on top of a super, they will clear the super in a number of seconds. Whilst I did try it once, I much prefer the physical methods for clearing supers. The speed at which bees move away from it is impressive. I have heard that if you use too much the bees go into a stupor.

 

[blackcloud]

Isn't there there a cyanide content in that?
Hope I'm wrong!

 

[JamezF]

Isn't there there a cyanide content in that?
Hope I'm wrong!

I believe it is possible to get food grade bitter almond oil which doesn't have the cyanide compound present. I don't know whether the food grade and non food grade versions are equally effective at repelling bees.

James

 

[blackcloud]

Could give the supers' payload a nice little tang..

 

[Parsonage Bees]

They are back this morning. I'm going to experiment. . . .. . . Ben

Couldn't find the almond essence in the cupboard. I know I hate the smell of the stuff. Went with spraying white vinegar 3 times and they had gone by evening. Not returned today.
Swarm might just a have moved on (not into one of my bait hives) but it worked.
. . . . Ben

 

[Ian123]

Bitter Almond oil, not the stuff you can get for cooking, but the essential oil, which makes your eyes water. If you put a few drops on a rag on top of a super, they will clear the super in a number of seconds. Whilst I did try it once, I much prefer the physical methods for clearing supers. The speed at which bees move away from it is impressive. I have heard that if you use too much the bees go into a stupor.

I’ve used this it’s it’s good for clearing supers and combs when doing a cut outs
https://www.cwynnejones.com/crown-boards-clearer-boards/435-bee-quick-240ml.html