Catnip Oil (Nepeta cataria) ** And Bees

[Guest guest]

Hey Jennifer,

 

> I swear that I Remember reading about cats, and catnip that only some

> cats respond to it. That it has something to do with their genetics.

> Does anyone know what Im talking about/can refresh my memory?

> Jennifer

 

I'm not sure about that cause I've not read it but it makes sense ..

leastways I've not heard of other critters going bonkers over Catnip.

 

What we gotta keep sight of in this discussion was a rumor spread that

Catnip Oil attracted bees .. and if we intended to use it we oughta use

a bee repellent along with it. But there was no study nor does anyone

in the industry believe this .. or know what a bee repellent is. ;-p

 

Martin once wrote .. in reference to Catnip .. and in particular to the

confusion created when someone assumed that since bees like the Catnip

blossoms they would like the Catnip oil ..

 

> Catmint as a plant also varies in its effects; some cats love it and

> roll in it and go all stupid, others get very aggressive. A scenario

> similar to people who drink too much. Therefore, to assume the oil

> will always have the same effects on insects or whatever is not wise.

> It is already well known that essential oils can have dual effects

> dependent on dose. For example some oils have been found to be

> excellent bactericides at certain levels of use, yet go a fraction

> down in dose and they can actually stimulate the growth of bacteria.

> There has been tons of research in the food trade on these effects.

 

But .. in order to test the bees reaction to Catnip EO .. the following

experiment was conducted on 11 June 2003 by a lady named Tang .. email

is Tang <tang .. and it was reported on another list.

 

> Ok, here's what happened:

> I went with Ben to do a couple hive checks. I did not wear any

> protective gear as it was hot and sunny today. I saturated one hand,

> and I mean REALLY saturated one hand (left)...when I went to sprinkle

> some Catnip Oil on my hand the little dropper thing came out and half

> a bottle poured all over my hand. So I went out with dripping

> hand and we opened the hives. At this point we have bees working on

> about 8 frames, so there are a lot of bees in there now. I handled

> all of the frames, and stood in such a way as my hand left hand was

> where the bees come home to where the upper entrance should be. When

> we move the feeder they mill around and collect where the entrance

> usually is. When I pulled the middle, and most populated frames my

> hand was in a cloud of bees. Well, the bees just milled and walked

> around on my hands as usual. So, I can say it looked to us as if the

> bees were neither repelled or attracted. They just ignored the stuff

> all together! They definitely were not attracted, so would you say

> they would be repelled if they did not sting? Or would the

> conclusion be " impartial " ?? I actually rubbed some of the Catnip Oil

> on one of the frame tops and they just kept on working like it wasn't

> there. So now you know what I know tang

 

She used NEAT Catnip Oil .. Canadian .. 80-90% Nepetalactone .. the

active ingredient. And I will mention that she is an experienced bee

keeper so she doesn't get stung often .. bees rarely sting unless its

winter and their hives are being robbed .. even then experienced bee

keepers avoid stings .. my grandpa was one of the experienced fellers.

 

In addition to this .. I wrote many folks who had purchased Catnip EO

from me .. not all .. but enough to satisfy me. I have many replies and

each person gave permission to use their name as a reference. Not ONE

of these people has had a problem with bees .. or mosquitos!

 

Therefore .. I rest my case. And I believe that once a rumor is planted

it is like a bad seed that will sprout up once again .. that is the way

it works in this cottage industry.

 

Y'all keep smiling, Butch :-) http://www.AV-AT.com