Lemongrass, a perennial grass commonly used in cooking and herbal remedies, has a complex relationship with bees. Whether bees are attracted to it depends significantly on the form of the plant. While the live plant is not generally considered a major source of pollen or nectar, the concentrated essential oil is a powerful attractant. This potent oil is widely used by beekeepers because its chemical composition mimics a natural signal bees use for communication.
The Chemical Mechanism of Attraction
The strong attraction bees have to lemongrass essential oil stems from a remarkable chemical mimicry of their natural communication system. The primary chemical compound responsible for this effect is citral, which is a mixture of two closely related isomers: geranial and neral. This combination of compounds is highly similar to the makeup of the Nasonov pheromone, a scent signal released by worker honeybees.
Honeybees use the Nasonov pheromone to communicate important information, such as marking resources, orienting themselves back to the hive entrance, and guiding a swarm to a new home. Worker bees release this airborne chemical from their Nasonov gland, signaling a desirable location. Because the concentrated citral in lemongrass oil closely matches the pheromone’s chemical structure, bees respond to the oil as if it were a natural signal.
The citrus-like scent of the oil functions as a strong, artificial beacon for scout bees searching for a suitable new nesting site. The oil exploits the honeybee’s natural behavior, convincing the scout bees that the area is a prime location for the swarm to establish a colony.
Beekeeping Applications of Lemongrass Oil
The unique ability of lemongrass oil to mimic the Nasonov pheromone makes it one of the most versatile essential oils used by beekeepers. One of its most common and effective uses is as a lure in swarm traps, also known as bait hives. Beekeepers strategically place a few drops of the oil inside an empty trap to attract migrating swarms looking for a new residence. This technique helps beekeepers capture wild swarms, which can then be safely relocated into a managed apiary.
The oil is also used to encourage acceptance and orientation when establishing a new colony, such as when installing a package of bees into an empty hive. Applying a small amount of diluted oil helps the bees settle in, as the familiar pheromone scent provides a sense of security and familiarity in the new box.
Beekeepers must exercise caution because overuse can have the opposite effect, potentially acting as a deterrent. The strong scent can sometimes attract “robber bees” from other colonies, which poses a risk to a newly established or weakened hive. Beyond swarm attraction, the oil is also valued for its anti-microbial properties, sometimes used to help control mites and discourage mold formation within the hive.
Clarifying the Role of the Live Plant and Citronella
It is important to understand the significant difference between the concentrated essential oil and the live lemongrass plant itself. While the oil is a potent attractant, the physical plant is not a primary forage crop for bees in a garden setting. The live grass does not release the high concentration of citral necessary to mimic the Nasonov pheromone strongly enough to act as a powerful swarm lure. Because lemongrass is a grass, it does not produce the showy, nectar-rich flowers that typically attract honeybees for foraging.
Lemongrass vs. Citronella
The name “lemongrass” also causes confusion with the related plant known as citronella, which is often mistakenly conflated with the bee attractant. Citronella oil, derived from a different species of Cymbopogon grass, is widely known as an insect repellent, particularly against mosquitoes. While both oils share a similar lemon-like scent and belong to the same genus, citronella is generally used to deter insects, whereas lemongrass oil is specifically used to attract bees.