should i plant lemongrass around my beehives

[Stung]

I know they draw to it. would it help swarming. any other ideas.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes plant if you want to
Do you mean will it help stop the bees swarming or attract a swarm?
Then No and No

 

[E&MBees]

I know they draw to it. would it help swarming. any other ideas.

Not quite sure what your winters are like, but lemongrass is a tender plant.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I’ve read somewhere of beekeepers planting pitcher plants to catch Velutina

 

[hemo]

What ever next, planting Rhubarb around the hives .

 

[Gilberdyke John]

What ever next, planting Rhubarb around the hives .

If an analysis of your honey showed elevated OA content you can blame the rhubarb

 

[plain_hunt]

I’ve read somewhere of beekeepers planting pitcher plants to catch Velutina

I’ve got three Pitcher plants in the greenhouse, do you think they will work?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I’ve got three Pitcher plants in the greenhouse, do you think they will work?

I don't know. Have you got Asian Hornets in your greenhouse?

 

[bobba]

I grow a lot of lemon grass, I love the stuff.

I have access to a climate controlled greenhouse at work, so its easy for me.

I usually take a few plants home in the spring and plant them in my garden and greenhouse.

They do ok in the summer, but die in the winter. You can keep them alive in an unheated greenhouse if you have a well established clump, and you cut it back and cover with a good pile of grass cuttings.

But Tbh, most years it does not do well outside, and does not overwinter very well in an unheated greenhouse.

My bees have never paid any attention to it, unless the plant is damaged and the smell is released. Then I have seen a few checking it out.

I have crushed the leaved and wiped the smell into boxes/frames before putting in a swarm, I think that helped.

What I have been meaning to try is putting some in the smoker. Would it help chill bees out? or just attract them? I am paranoid that the strong am smell could taint the honey too. Maybe one day I will give it a go.

 

[plain_hunt]

I don't know. Have you got Asian Hornets in your greenhouse?
[/QUOTE

Maybe thats why they haven’t caught anything....