Lemongrass oil (LGO) is a commonly available essential oil derived from the stalks and leaves of the Cymbopogon plant. This oil is well-known for its bright, refreshing citrus aroma, which has made it popular in aromatherapy and culinary applications. For those interested in insects, the answer to whether lemongrass oil attracts bees is a definitive yes. In fact, this natural oil is a highly effective attractant for honeybees, a property that has been harnessed by beekeepers for generations. Its potent scent acts as a powerful signal in the natural world, drawing bees toward a specific location as they search for a new home.
The Chemical Reason Lemongrass Oil Attracts Bees
The strong attraction honeybees have to lemongrass oil is a matter of chemical mimicry, tricking the bees’ highly sensitive olfactory system. Lemongrass oil contains high concentrations of the chemical compounds citral and geraniol. These two organic molecules are key components of the natural honeybee communication signal called the Nasonov pheromone. Worker bees release this pheromone to guide other bees, using it as a homing beacon to orient foragers back to the hive entrance or mark a newly discovered resource. Because LGO contains the same major chemical building blocks, it perfectly simulates this natural signal, drawing in scout bees searching for a suitable cavity to establish a new colony.
Practical Applications for Beekeeping
Beekeepers use lemongrass oil primarily as a natural lure for capturing wild swarms—large groups of bees leaving an existing colony to establish a new one. LGO directs these swarms into pre-prepared equipment called a swarm trap. A few drops of the pure oil or an oil-infused paste are placed inside the trap to make the empty box smell like an appealing home site.
The oil is often mixed with a carrier, such as petroleum jelly, beeswax, or mineral oil, to create a slow-release paste that prolongs the scent’s effectiveness over several weeks. A typical concentration involves mixing about 15 to 20 drops of LGO per one-quarter cup of carrier material. This diluted application is necessary because too high a concentration can overwhelm and repel the bees instead of attracting them.
Beyond capturing swarms, the oil encourages bees to accept and settle into new hive equipment, such as a nucleus colony or an empty brood box. Applying a tiny amount to the top bars or the entrance helps newly introduced bees feel secure and less likely to abandon the equipment. However, the oil’s use must be managed carefully, as its strong scent can also attract “robber bees” from other colonies to weak hives, potentially leading to conflict and resource loss.
Lemongrass Oil vs. Citronella: Clarifying Common Misconceptions
A common confusion arises because both lemongrass oil and citronella oil are derived from closely related species within the Cymbopogon genus of grasses. Both oils share a generally similar, sharp citrus scent, but their primary functions with respect to insects are quite different. Lemongrass oil, as established, is primarily an attractant for honeybees due to its high citral and geraniol content mimicking the Nasonov pheromone.
Citronella oil, conversely, is widely recognized and used as a broad-spectrum insect repellent, particularly against mosquitoes. Its repellant properties are largely attributed to a higher concentration of the chemical compound citronellal. While citronella oil also contains some of the same components found in LGO, its overall chemical profile is geared toward masking the host scents that attract insects, thereby acting as a deterrent.
The distinction is based on the subtle differences in their molecular makeup and the concentration of those molecules. Although some mild insect-repelling qualities exist in LGO, its role as a powerful pheromonal mimic makes it the go-to choice for attracting bees. Attempting to use citronella oil as a bee lure would likely be ineffective, as its repellant properties would counteract any potential attraction.