Essential oils

[wd8das]

Somewhere along the way I read that a few drops of lemongrass and
citronella oils are good in sugar syrup intended for feeding bees.  But
today a friend pointed out the following the "repelall" website:

>Another herbal remedy to repel bees includes a combination of
>lemongrass, peppermint oil, and citronella. Most herbal bee repellents
>are safe for use on children and pets.

It seems contradictory that a substance could be a feeding stimulant as
well as a repellent for bees.  Can anyone help me understand?

Maybe on the skin these oils act not so much as a repellent as much as
sting-preventer?

Thanks...

Steve

[Kathyp]

both lemongrass and peppermint oil will attract bees. maybe the replant is the citronella?  not something i'd put on and go to the hives!

[slacker361]

were do you get the lemon grass oil, I understand you use that while doing a trap out

[super dave]

 i got my lemon grass at the local nature food store

[Kathyp]

there are a couple of good ebay stores.  i buy it when they run a special for free shipping or 2 for 1.

[Michael Bush]

I haven't heard of citronella in syrup or in a hive... but I guess it has some things in common with lemongrass oil.  But I'd stick to lemongrass oil for swarm lure and not put anything in the syrup, at least not essential oils that mimic natural communication pheromones in the hive...

[wd8das]

Thank you for confirming that I'm not crazy (at least on this point!).  While trying to find out more, I came across this bit of info on use of essential oils for bees from (link suppressed as I am a newcomer).

- - - - - - - -
Using essential oils to kill both kinds of mites has been researched.
One of the problems with using essential oils is that many of the
compounds are toxic to honey bees as well as mites. Several herbal
extracts and essential oils have been tested. For the most current
information on using essential oils to control varroa mite, visit West
Virginia University's Web site, "Mite Control in Honeybees With
Essential Oils".

One study tested thymol-based products in Texas, Virginia, and
Minnesota. (Sanford, 1997) There were good results in Texas and
Virginia, but less mite mortality in Minnesota. One reason given for
this difference is that higher temperatures in the southern states
helped the thymol to diffuse into the colony. Another variable that may
have affected the study was the number of hive bodies — in Minnesota,
three brood chambers were used, while in Texas only one brood chamber
was used. The most effective blend in the study was thymol and
citronella.
- - - - - - - -

Steve