Life buzzes around us and often brings us joy and peace. But what if those buzzing little insects could be persuaded to buzz off? Is there a scent that bees don’t like? It might sound like an outlandish dream, but the truth of the matter is that there are certain scents that bees really don’t enjoy. In this article, we’ll show you how to use these scents to your advantage, with the goal of keeping these little buzzing pests away.
1. Sweet Smells That Send Bees Buzzing Away
- Manuka Honey
- Lavender
- Mint
Many flowers we enjoy are perfumed with aromas that also attract bees, but there are a few sweet-smelling plants that send them buzzing away. Manuka honey, in particular, has a strong, pungent scent that wards off insects. Unlike other varieties of honey, manuka is derived from a native New Zealand plant and is known for its therapeutic properties. For instance, this honey is often used for the relief of stomach ailments and infections, in addition to being a delicious treat.
Lavender is another flower that has a repulsive effect on bees. Its aroma is sweet and calming, and it’s a wonderful addition to your garden. Not only that, but you can use its essential oil in DIY pest repellents. The oil acts as a natural barrier, without the worry of harming your pollinators.
Mint is the last sweet scent that bees cannot stand. Grow it in your garden beds and around your porch, and keep the bees away while they enjoy the nectar of your other flowers. Not only that, but you can also make a refreshing cup of tea with the leaves or use it to enhance the flavor of food dishes. Simply harvest a few leaves and sprinkle them in your recipes.
These three sweet-smelling plants may not be the kind of flowers you want to eat, but they’re sure to ward off unwelcome pests, such as bees. Plus, their aromas and flavors can be used for many other purposes, making them a valuable addition to any garden.
2. Natural Repellents That Achieve Bee-Free Bliss
There are few creatures as magical as bees. Except when they’re buzzing around your zip code. If you find yourself dealing with a bee issue, fear not – there are plenty of natural repellents that can solve your bee problems.
The first bee-free bliss tactic is to clean up the area and get rid of any potential hiding spots. Cut back shrubbery, rake away debris and make sure containers are tightly sealed. Bees tend to stay away from clean and dry environments.
Next, you can add natural repellents to sweeten the deal. Here are some proven options:
- Scents: Mint, clove, citrus and eucalyptus are all known to repel a variety of bugs – bees included.
- Sprays: You can make your own homemade bee repellent spray using essential oils like lavender, peppermint, citronella and lemon. Or buy some at the store.
- Plants: Planting certain foliage in and around your space is another possible solution. Certain herbs, shrubs and flowers are known to keep bees at bay.
Once you’ve repelled the bees, the key is maintenance. The effects of the natural repellents fade over time so be sure to reapply, refresh and restock as necessary. Then, you can sit back and enjoy bee-free bliss.
3. What Scents to Avoid to Keep the Bees at Bay
Bees, as a critical component of our ecosystem, are essential in pollinating plants and upholding a balanced environment. Although useful, sometimes they can become annoying and pose a threat. To deter them from coming close, be aware of some signature scents they don’t like.
- Perfumes and strongly scented lotions: Fragrant smells may attract others, but bees are rather sensitive to them; avoid wearing any type of perfume or applying lotion that has a strong scent when outdoors.
- Decaying fruits: Try to keep rotting fruit in sealed containers, as bees take strong notice of them as potential food sources. Be sure to check for any small holes that may have formed in lids, as this can still draw them in.
- Flowery scents: This may come as a surprise since they are attracted to flowers, but clingy and invasive flowery scents have the opposite effect. This kind of smell may trick the bee into thinking it has entered a territory that could be a potential threat.
With this in mind, aim to keep your environment as scent-free as possible. Wearing unscented soaps, using natural cleaning products, and avoiding smoking or burning scented candles are all effective ways to ward off these pesky bugs.
Moreover, be cautious with your choice of clothing colors and patterns. Bees don’t recognize colors the way humans do, but they are more instinctually drawn to certain shades, such as black, blue, yellow, and red. Solid colors are the least conspicuous for them.
4. Essential Oils That Make Bears Bye-Bye
Keep those bears away with some natural essential oils! Here are the 4 most effective essential oils for bear-proofing your home or campsite:
- Tea Tree: This refreshing scent is a great deterrent for bears. Its strong, natural scent will be sure to keep them away!
- Peppermint: Bears aren’t fans of this strong smell, making it an ideal choice for keeping them at bay.
- Citronella: The sweet smell of citronella can be a great way to keep bears away. The strong, citrusy scent is sure to keep them away!
- Cedarwood: Not only will cedarwood keep bears away, but it’s also been known to repel other animals as well!
These essential oils can be used in a multitude of ways! Use diluted oil in a spray bottle with water to create a portable solution, or use oil drops on cotton balls and place inside and around your campsite for a more natural way of keeping bears at bay.
No matter which method you choose, just remember to stay safe and use these natural essential oils to keep your home or campsite bear-repellent!
5. Understanding What Puts Bees Off Their Scent
Bees are incredibly sensitive creatures and just a few minor changes can throw them off their scent. Here are a few things that can affect your relationship with bees, whether you’re a beekeeper or just a curious observer:
- Weather: Changes in the temperature, humidity, and wind can all affect a bee’s ability to detect and act upon their scent.
- Light: Bees rely on ultraviolet light to see, so bright, artificial lights can disrupt their scent detection.
- Odors: Strong and unfamiliar smells can deter bees from coming to a particular area. Oily and pesticide residue can linger on clothing, and some flowers, like the marigold, can produce smells bees can’t stand.
- Colors: Bees are drawn to certain colors in the visible spectrum, and other hues can be distracting or even a deterrent.
Fortunately, understanding and mitigating these factors can help you enjoy a better relationship with your bee friends. You can maintain a bee-friendly environment by providing natural sunlight and keeping artificial light to a minimum. You can also reduce strong-smelling fragrances, detergents, cleaners, and other household items that may repel bees. Finally, using flowering plants and positioning them strategically helps ensure they will be noticed by the bees.
By providing the ideal environment for bees, you can ensure that they don’t fly away and come right back!
6. Fragrant Solutions for a Buzz-Free Garden
If you’re dealing with pesky flying bugs and other unwelcome visitors in your garden, fragrant solutions could be your first line of defense.
There are a number of bug-repelling plants and flowers that can keep gardens buzzing and blooming in harmony.
- Geraniums are an ideal deterrent for mosquitoes, aphids and a variety of other bugs. Plant in containers or along borders for best effect.
- Marigolds have a powerful scent that mosquitoes cannot stand and they work wonderfully as an ornamental. Plant mixed with other winter blooms.
- Lavender is a calming, soothing scent, but not to beebugs. Place along pathways or entryways to encourage them to keep away.
- Lemongrass is a good plant for gardens because, in addition to its fragrant properties, it can also serve as an herb.
These fragrant plants and flowers can keep away most bugs while bringing a hint of scent to your outdoor space. Plant them in containers, along pathways or entryways, or within the borders of your garden and you may be pleasantly surprised at their insect-repelling effects.
7. Get Creative: Make Your Own Bee-Busting Spray!
If you want to give traditional pesticides a miss and try making your own natural pesticide spray, this one is a surefire winner! All you need is:
- 1 quart (0.9 l) of water
- 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of dish soap
- 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of white vinegar
Just mix all of your ingredients together and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Now you’ve got your own homemade bee-busting spray, made right in your kitchen!
Time to bravely get buzz-busting
Now that your bee-busting solution is ready, it’s time to use it! But first, take a few precautions – always wear eye protection and long-sleeved clothing. Don’t forget to place yourself downwind when you start spraying and be sure not to spray directly onto a bee. Now, yes indeed, you are blossom-bee-repelling ready!
8. Who Knew – Aromatic Alternatives to Bee Deterrents
No one likes getting stung by bees while they’re trying to enjoy a beautiful day outside. Now, you can protect yourself without any harsh chemicals or steroids. All you need to do is head over to your local health food store for some aromatic alternatives.
These gentle yet effective remedies can keep the bees away without relying on heavy toxic chemicals. Here are some of our favorite alternatives:
- Lemon Oil– First, try adding lemon oil to cotton balls or bunch them in a small pouch and hang them in the area. Lemons have an incredibly strong smell that bees seem to stay away from!
- Peppermint Extract– Take a few cotton balls and soak them with peppermint extract. Place the cotton balls around your garden, or sprinkle some around picnic areas and the deck. The smell of peppermint will drift into the air and hopefully keep those pesky bees away.
- Garlic– Chop up some garlic and sprinkle it around your outdoor living space or garden. Garlic has a strong smell that bees won’t risk going near.
- Dish Soap– Believe it or not, bees don’t like the smell of dish soap. Add a few drops of dish soap to a spray bottle filled with water, and spray it around the area. The smell should keep bees away for a few hours.
These aromatic alternatives are an easy and simple rule of thumb for keeping those pesky bees away. These solutions are also cheaper than the store bought alternatives and much less harsh, so you won’t have to worry about any negative effects.
Although bees might not feel the same about certain smells that we do, the next time you head outdoors, consider giving the bees a break and giving one of these scents a try. Who knows – a lavender spritz might just be the perfect way to help you both just “buzz off.
