Lemon Balm

Lesli · June 21, 2004, 11:32:21 AM

One of my books on herbs suggests rubbing the inside of the hive with lemon balm. I do have some growing here, so I've done that with my new hives.

The nucs I ordered should be coming this week, so I'll let you know how the bees seem to like it.

Has anyone ever heard of this, or is it just herbalist lore?

lobstafari · June 21, 2004, 12:12:30 PM

Whats the purpose? Does it say? I just put the bees right into unfinished pine hives, and they seem to do just fine.

Lesli · June 21, 2004, 12:22:42 PM

Quote from: lobstafariWhats the purpose? Does it say? I just put the bees right into unfinished pine hives, and they seem to do just fine.

It just says, "To condition the bee hive, rub with lemon balm."

Shrug. Maybe bees like lemony stuff.

Blackbird · June 21, 2004, 02:14:44 PM

I read an article in American Bee Journal that lemon grass has a similar effect as the queens pheremons. You could use it to catch a swarm. maybe lemon balm is the same?

Stacie

Lesli · June 21, 2004, 04:37:52 PM

Quote from: BlackbirdI read an article in American Bee Journal that lemon grass has a similar effect as the queens pheremons. You could use it to catch a swarm. maybe lemon balm is the same?

Stacie

Maybe--lemon grass and lemon balm have a very strong lemon scent. I guess if it does have a similar effect, it would make the bees happy in their new home.

steve · June 21, 2004, 09:23:20 PM

I use a spray bottle of 1 to 1 sugar syrup (qt.) with a couple of drops of wintergreen sprayed on the inside of the new hive and frames.... this also works exceptionally well for swarm introduction if I have no drawn comb, just foundation.
Steve

lobstafari · June 21, 2004, 09:42:22 PM

Steve,
What does that really do? Does it just help them start drawing out faster? Or keep them from leaving the hive? Or just make them feel more at home? :) I sprayed sugar water on my super frames to get them to go up through the excluder and start drawing, but never heard of these other additives, just curious,
Thanks, Jeremy

steve · June 21, 2004, 10:49:10 PM

Jeremy,
What it really does is two fold, first the wintergreen masked the "new wood" smell and secound the sugar syrup keeps the bees in the hive
( sucking up the syrup ) long enough so their smell permeates the hive,
after a couple of hours the sugar syrup is all cleaned up and the hive smells like home!
This system also works exceptionally well when adding frames of bees and brood from one hive to another. Spray the new frame or frames of bees and put them into the recieceing hive.....the wintergreen masked the old hive smell and the bees on both sides are busy cleaning each other......no fighting....quick and easy !!!
Steve

snowzerdog · June 22, 2004, 08:27:54 AM

You may be doing a twofold thing there as organic beekeeping is experimenting with wintergreen as a varroa control spray

steve · June 22, 2004, 07:58:11 PM

You're quite right Snowzerdog, I use screened bottom boards on my hives
and do sugar rolls and mite drop test on sticky boards to determine mite populations before medicating, (IPM)........it works.....cost of meds. per year is down 67% in my yards......and for the most part organics are cheaper and for sure a lot safer.
Steve