Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Santa Caras on August 21, 2013, 03:45:37 PM

Title: oils needed??
Post by: Santa Caras on August 21, 2013, 03:45:37 PM
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???
Title: Re: oils needed??
Post by: danno on August 21, 2013, 04:17:38 PM
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
Title: Re: oils needed??
Post by: Wolfer on August 21, 2013, 10:22:20 PM
I use veg oil in my beetle traps.
Title: Re: oils needed??
Post by: Michael Bush on August 22, 2013, 10:34:49 AM
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.