If you’re looking to attract (or repel) those busy little buzzing friends of ours, then you should know the scents that appeal to them (or not). From flowers to fruits to herbs, bees are drawn (or repelled) to select odors and fragrances. Here’s what you should know when using aromatic scents to control our honey-making pals.
1. Sweet-Smelling Scents: Alluring to Bees?
Flowers are not just visually appealing. Bees are naturally attracted to certain scents, and the sweet-smelling scents emanating from flowers can be alluring. We experience these sweet smells when standing close to the flowerbed but for a bee, the smell of flowers can be observed from far away.
Sound and smell are both used by bees to locate suitable flowers. They use their wild sense of smell to differentiate between different scents with a keen nose that can detect molecules in the air before arriving at their destination. Depending on the pollen content, bees are willing to go to another flower and the most fragrant flower in the bunch will be most likely most visited by the bees.
When air currents move around a flower, volatile compounds are released and carry the distinct scents of the flower. Volatile organic compounds are a category of specialized molecules found in flowers and arise from the metabolic processes of the plants. These molecules have unique scents that make them attractive to bees.
- Jasmine: creamy, sweet, heady and romantic
- Lavender: calming, cool, herbal and nice
- Rose: powdery, floral and warm
It is by relying on its sense of smell that a bee can easily find the best flowers that promises the most nectar and the highest pollen content. Without the strong smell of flowers, many plants such as these would not be able to bear fruits and the world would be much less colorful.
2. Botanical Aromas: Bee Attractors or Repellents?
Have you ever pondered if the fragrant aromas of botanicals really attract bees? Or do the strong scent of plants actually repel them? In reality, it can be both. Depending on the species of bee, certain types of plants may act as both an attractant or repellent.
For instance, bee hives are often placed near certain types of flowering plants in order to obtain natural nectar and pollen from the botanicals. These include clover, thyme, and lavender. The palatable sweet smells from these nectar-filled flowers attract bees from miles away. Actually, the act of pollination plays a crucial role in sustaining and supporting the growth of other plants located nearby.
On the other hand, there are some flower varieties which produce an undesirable scent to bee species. Certain herbs such as Greek mountain tea provide a very strong aroma. This potentially acts as a repellent to repel the pollinator away from the area. Furthermore, there are plants which change their countenance depending on the season. During colder months, certain types of flora densify their scent, becoming overwhelming to bugs.
In conclusion, botanical aromas can alter the behavior of bees. Some smells invoke an enjoyable reaction while other odors prompt them to flee. You can take advantage of this phenomenon to either attract or repel a colony of bees from your backyard. You need to understand the properties of different flowers in order to get the desired reaction.
3. A Scent-sible Strategy: Attracting or Avoiding Bees with Aromas
As everyone knows, bees are attracted to sweet and sugary smells. If you want to make your garden a bee-friendly oasis, you can create an environment that will draw these incredible insects in with natural, pleasant scents.
- Lavender: Lavender has a beautiful calming aroma that attracts bees and butterflies alike. Plant lavender near your window or in areas of your garden that will bring beauty and enjoyment to your outdoor space.
- Parsley: Not just for garnishing, parsley is also an incredible bug-attracting flower. Parsley flowers emit a sweet, sugary scent that is a delight to bees.
- Rosemary: This aromatic, woody shrub not only smells incredible but is also a great option for attracting bees to your garden. Rosemary not only gives off a sweet smell that bees love, but its taste can also be used to make tasty salads and delicious dishes.
Conversely, if you don’t want to encourage bees into your garden, there are some aromas you should avoid. Bees are attracted to heavy, sweet smells like honey, coconut, citrus, and mint, so try to plant other calming flowers and shrubs to discourage the small critters. Citronella, eucalyptus, and marigolds are just a few options that will repel bees naturally and subtly.
Bees play an essential role in the pollination of plants, so it’s important to consider how your aromas can help or hurt them. Whether you’re trying to attract or repel bees, a scent-sible strategy may bring your outdoor space the best of both worlds.
4. Is Your Garden Corner Fragrant with Bee- Friendly Aromas?
Bring some sweet-smelling aroma to your garden corner with bee-friendly plants. These blooms make for a fragrant haven for not just the bees but also other vital pollinators. Here’s how you can invite these invaluable partners in your backyard:
Perennials
Fill up the area with a few low-maintenance perennials that come back year after year. From the common Daisy to a Lavender, or even a Coreopsis, all these will lure the pollinators whilst imparting a delicious scent.
Annuals
Brighten up your garden corner with beds of annuals that show off in full bloom. Plant Basil, Sunflower, Marigold, or a mix of your favorite annuals. Check the fragrant list for annuals like Nicotiana and tuberose to add a serene aroma while the bees buzz.
Herbs
Soften the borders with plenty of herbs and savory plants. Fragrant herbs with blooms such as Lavender, Mint, Sage, Thyme, or Oregano make the perfect accompaniments. Add a few of them in diagonals for maximum effect.
- Create fragrant sea of blooms.
- Let the bees enter a tranquil haven.
- Resist the temptation to mow too short.
Well, there you have it. A little whiff of nature’s aromas is all you need to transform your garden corner into a bee-friendly paradise. Get your garden up and buzzing with a few aromatic blooms each year.
5. Olfactory Offense: Repellent Aromas to Keep Bees at Bay
Sometimes, to keep bees away from an area, you need an extra pungent punch. That’s when the power of repellent aromas comes in. There are several products available that can make your environment less attractive for bees.
Citrus Peels : You can use lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange peels. Place them around your area, and bees will avoid it.- Pungent Herbs: Some pungent herbs such as peppermint, spearmint, and cilantro are great bee repellents. Place them in a bowl or container, and the aroma will help to keep bees away.
- Essential Oils: Essential oils derived from plants such as lavender, eucalyptus, and lemongrass are also great at repelling bees. You can put a few drops of essential oil on cotton balls and place them around your area.
Olfactory offense is an effective way to keep bees away from an area. You can find many products that use pungent aromas to deter bees. Whether you choose to use citrus peels, pungent herbs, or essential oils, it’s a simple and safe way to protect your space from an unwanted influx of bees.
6. Making the Right Call: Identifying the Right Scents for Bee Defense
Bees are an essential part of our environment, and bees unfortunately have many predators. But with the right scent, we can protect them. Here’s how to make the right call and identify the best scents for bee defense.
Choose the Right Mix
One of the best ways to keep predators away from your hives is to mix a few scents together. Choose two to three scents that have proven effective at attracting and repelling predators. Examples of effective scents include mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and lavender. Each scent mixed with an oil or water will create a potent, protective solution.
Use All-natural Scents
- All-natural extracts won’t cause any harm to your bee colony as some synthetic scents can. Also, all-natural scents have the added bonus of enticing helpful predator-hunting insects!
- Be sure to select high-quality extracts that are made from pure essential oils. Pure essential oils will have the most potency and are the safest choice for your bees.
Test the Scents on Your Hives
Before fully committing to the scent combination, test it out on your hives. Make sure to observe the area after application to make sure the scent is working in the way you intended—intimidation, repelling, etc. It might take some trial and error to get the perfect ratio of scents, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
7. Natural Remedies: All-Organic Scents to Deter Bees
If you’re looking for a natural and organic solution to deter those pesky little bees from your porch or garden, try using scented oils or candles to keep them away. Bees are incredibly sensitive to smell and sight, so these simple tricks can be a great solution for avoiding a bee-filled yard.
Essential Oils: Essential oils are not only a great way to take care of your human-needs but did you know they also can help with bee-management in the garden? Some essential oils have strong aromatic smells that will keep bees away! Our favorite scents that are effective against bees are lavender, spearmint, and eucalyptus.
Flower Candles: Repurposing a flower-scented candle or making your own wax potpourri is a great idea for keeping bees away from outdoor areas. Bees favor flowery scents and aroma, and avoiding them reduces the likelihood of them visiting the area. Nectar-rich scents, such as jasmine, lemongrass, and lavender, have been found to repel bees.
- Lavender
- Spearmint
- Eucalyptus
- Jasmine
- Lemongrass
These all-natural remedies are sure to fight-off bees in your outdoor space, without any need for harsh chemicals. All you have to do is ensure the area is well-scented with either essential oils or floral candles and your worries will be over.
8. Cultulating the Scent-Uation: Tips for Botanically Boosting Bee Repellence
Making a bee-free zone in your garden is easy with a few simple steps. Botanically boosting repellence is all about understanding the herbs and blooms that bees don’t like, and picking the right plants to cultivate. Here are a few tips to help guide you to create a powerful bee-repelling scent-uation:
- Herbs – Some of the most effective bee-repelling herbs include lavender, pennyroyal, spearmint, rosemary, andmonarda.
- Plants – Plant some bee-repelling plants, such as marigolds, salvia, echinacea, cleome, coneflower, and zinnias.
- Foliage – To further add to your bee-free zone, consider adding some foliage, such as lemon balm andgeranium, to the mix.
Be sure to mix your blooms and herbs to create an even more pungent scent that will keep the bees away. Plant them around the perimeter of your outdoor space and you’ll have a potent scent-uation that will keep bees at bay.
If you’re looking for an even more powerful bee-repellent solution, try pairing your herb and flower selection with some essential oils. Make sure to always dilute the oils to prevent any potential harm to your plants and yourself. Lavender oil, tea tree oil, and lemongrass oil are often used as natural, bee repellents.
Scent can be a powerful tool when it comes to attracting bees and other pollinators. Whether you want to make sure they come to visit your flowers or to keep them away, understanding how different scents can help can be essential for any gardener. Now that you know some of the smells that attract and repel bees, you can begin to tend to your garden with the confidence of knowing what smells will bring in these essential garden visitors.
