Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Swarms, Cut Outs, Trap Outs and Bee Trees => Topic started by: CpnObvious on May 15, 2014, 08:54:18 am

Title: Lemongrass Oil - food grade or not?
Post by: CpnObvious on May 15, 2014, 08:54:18 am
I've been on a local hunt for lemongrass oil to use as an attractant to set up a couple swarm traps (even though I've never, in my life, seen a swarm!)...  Even in the healthfood stores I can only find the essential oils that clearly state "not for consumption", "not food grade", etc...  I know that with many essential oils there is a heavy danger in the consumption of too much.  Such as more than a drop or so of peppermint essential oil can cause seizures.  Are the labels printed as such to cover the manufacturer's heinies?  Seeing that I don't want to mix it with anything for consumption by people or bees, do I need to worry about finding food grade?  I'd rather support the local businesses than the world wide interwebs.... What ever shall I do?  IF I add non-food grade to a feeding mix of some sort down the road, in such limited quantity that is used is there a need for concern?
Title: Re: Lemongrass Oil - food grade or not?
Post by: LazyBkpr on May 15, 2014, 10:14:33 am
  I mix my Lemon Grass oil with syrup at the rate of about 1 DROP per gallon, and it is easily identifiable when smelling the syrup a week later..  Other than that, I can't give much of an answer..  It never occurred to me to seek out food grade.
Title: Re: Lemongrass Oil - food grade or not?
Post by: Yankee11 on May 15, 2014, 10:16:20 am
The amount of Lemongrass oil you use for swarm trap does not matter if it's food grade. You only use a drop or two on a piece of cloth or cotton. They will
not be consuming it.
Title: Re: Lemongrass Oil - food grade or not?
Post by: iddee on May 15, 2014, 11:09:23 am
Use the local. You are only using the smell, not the liquid.