As a newbie and doing all the reading.....oils are mentioned as needed for everything from feeding, attractants, to health boosters.
What do ya'll think are the TOP 5 OILS needed in beekeeping???
lemongrass is at the top of the list. Its used as a lure in traps and in honey-b-healthy Spearmint oil is also in HBH
I use veg oil in my beetle traps.
Lemongrass essential oil I use for swarm lure. I don't use anything else. Essential oils are broad spectrum antimicrobials and bees need microbes to stay healthy.
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0033188 (http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0033188)
As an attractant they set off massive robbing in my experience. Bees don't take much interest in syrup unless there is a dearth. In a dearth they take too much interest in it already.