Have you ever been enjoying the summer weather and wanted to relax outdoors but were bothered by angry buzzing bees? You don’t have to suffer from their annoyance any longer – keep the bees away with the power of scent! The fragrances of certain plants, oils, and other scents can deter bees and help you reclaim your outdoor space for relaxation. Keep reading to explore scents that bees avoid and learn how you can use them to keep bees away!
1. What Odors Do Bees Avoid?
Bees are an integral part of the environment, so it’s important to understand what odors cause them to stay away. Although there is no single smell that causes all bees to flee, here are some standout odors that they tend to avoid:
- Foul Odors
Unpleasant, noxious scents such as skunk, garlic and onion, are a sure-fire way to drive away bees.
- Strong Citruses
Citrusy smells such as oranges, lemons or other essential oils can act as a powerful deterrent to bees.
- Minty Aromas
The strong, menthol-like smell of mint is enough to make most bees fly in the opposite direction.
- Woody Fragrances
Sage, rosemary and other plants with a woody scent can make bees feel unwelcome, sending them elsewhere to find food.
Whether you need to keep bees away from your orchard, garden or backyard barbecue, understanding what odors they don’t like is the key to success. Avoiding the odors listed above ensures that your outdoor space will remain bee-free, so you can enjoy it in peace.
Minty Freshness: Bees Don’t Like It
A fly and a bee are two of the main pollinators of flowers. While both love flowers, their preferences are actually quite different when it comes to what type of flower they’ll partake in and gather nectar from. Those who have a garden or have taken a keen interest in the flowers that are in bloom have probably noticed that bees tend to avoid mint and other menthol fragrant flowers, with the exception of bergamot.
Why don’t bees like the antiseptic menthol smell of mint? Scientists point to their powerful little noses as the culprit. Bees possess what’s known as an olfactory learning system and essentially, the menthol smell of mint is a bit too overpowering for them. On top of that, when bees flew into these mostly harmless, but pungent, minty flowers they weren’t able to return to the colony with pollen and nectar. Instead they only brought back an uncomfortable fragrance, which alerted other bees to the danger.
This is why when looking for pollinators, bees are typically not a primary target – they just don’t find strong scented flowers, like mints, useful in the same way they do others. But that doesn’t mean gardeners can’t attract metal loving pollinators to the garden. There are plenty of flowers that have strong fragrances, like Roses, Honeysuckles and Dandelions, which are perfect for bees and other small pollinators.
So, if you’re looking for pollinators to add some color and variety to your garden, opt for flowers that don’t have a strong menthol smell. Otherwise, the beel in your garden might not be interested.
Citronella’s Repel-A-Bee Qualities
Citronella’s Natural Power
Citronella, a lush and vibrant lemony smelling herb, has been used for centuries to naturally ward away pesky insects such as bees. This potent plant has remained popular as an alternative to chemical-driven products, due to its safety and power to deliver superb results.
The Science Behind Citronella
The secret behind citronella’s power lies within its compounds and compounds found in lemongrass, which act as natural repellents. The citrus-scented oil creates an invisible barrier which intruders cannot cross, posing a major deterrent for its visitors.
Citronella’s Many Uses
The uses for citronella go beyond the typical backyard BBQ; the repellent qualities of this herb have allowed it to become the main ingredient in a variety of bee-related products. Repel-A-Bee, a citronella-based product, can be used to soothe outdoor environments of bees, wasps, and hornets, while relaxing your own area of comfort.
- Citronella creates a no-fly zone for bees.
- The oil contained in citronella poses an immediate deterrent for intruders.
- Repel-A-Bee is a product that can help make your backyard a safe oasis.
Citronella has been a buzz-worthy application for many years; its natural powers can help your space become a haven for tranquility, free from buzzing and stinging annoyances. Repel-A-Bee is the perfect solution for any bee problems you might encounter, helping to ensure your backyard is free from uninvited visitors.
Essential Oils: Not So Sweet Smells
Essential oils are a great way to fill your home with inviting smells, but most people don’t realize how powerful they can be. Despite their subtle influence, they can pack a punch when used properly.
For many years, essential oils have been used to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing. They are known to be a perfect solution to combat stress, combat sleep deprivation, or even assist in physical healing. Here are just some of the uses of essential oils when it comes to wellbeing:
- Mental Calmness: Essential oils have been used by ancient civilizations to increase mental balance and reduce anxiety.
- Physical Healing: Essential oils can stimulate the regeneration of skin tissue and reduce pain.
- Controlled Sleep: Certain oils can help regulate the circadian rhythm, helping with both quality and quantity of sleep.
Essential oils can also be used for more than just lifting your spirits or reassuring you emotionally. They can be a great tool for personal hygiene and for keeping your home clean. For example, if you want to cleanse the air in your home, you can use natural and non-toxic essential oils to keep the air healthy and clean. In addition, certain essential oils can help you protect your health by inhibiting the growth of mold and bacteria.
Our surroundings have a huge impact on our mental and physical state, and essential oils can be the perfect way to help us stay in a good frame of mind. As you can see, they are not just pleasant smells. They can be a valuable asset to improving your wellbeing and nurturing a healthy environment.
Herbal Potpourri: Aromatic Natural Deterrent
For centuries, people have used potpourri to add a pleasant scent to their homes. With the increasing popularity of natural products, many have turned to herbal potpourri as an aromatic yet natural deterrent for insects and other pests.
- Smell: Herbal potpourri comes in a variety of scents, from refreshing and energizing citrus to calming and soothing lavender. The combination of aromas can create a unique and attractive smell for your home.
- Pest Deterrent: Herbal potpourri can be used to naturally reject and repel unwanted insects. It is believed that the natural oils and fragrances within the mixture help to mask the smell of food, making it harder for insects and other pests to find.
- Health Benefits: Herbal potpourri can also offer some health benefits if used safely. Aromatherapy is said to help reduce stress, improve concentration, and even boost immunity.
If you are looking for a natural way to keep your home smelling great and pests away, herbal potpourri may be the perfect solution. Not only will it leave your home smelling wonderful, but it could also offer some additional health benefits.
A Spicy Solution to Keeping Bees Away
Are you looking for an organic way to keep pesky bees away from your property but don’t want to use chemicals? Look no further than spices!
Spices are an amazing way to naturally deter and repel bees, and the choices are plentiful. A few that work well include:
- Cayenne pepper
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Mint
Simply sprinkle a bit of any (or all) of these spices around areas where bees have been spotted and they’ll usually scatter quickly. The downside is that the smell can be quite pungent and is unpleasant to humans, so keep this in mind when considering where to apply the spices.
The great thing about using spices for bee control is that it’s easy to replenish the supplies. All are readily available in most grocery stores and cautions regarding possible allergies aren’t a concern.
Garlic: Nature’s Own Bee-Repelent
Garlic is a trusted ingredient used in a variety of dishes around the globe. But did you know it can also do wonders in keeping the buzzing bees away from your home? Its pungent smell and composition provide a natural and cost-effective barrier against these unwanted visitors.
Its ability to keep bees away is quite remarkable. All you have to do is place garlic cloves near your windowsills and high traffic bee areas. Even on a breezy day, the scent of garlic will be strong enough to repel the bees with great ease. Moreover, its pungent aroma will keep any kind of insects at bay.
Garlic is one of the most powerful tools in your bee preventative arsenal. There are several ways it can be used for bee repellence:
- Place cloves of garlic near windows, balconies and other high bee activity areas.
- Make garlic spray and apply it in your garden to keep the bees away.
- Chop some garlic and sprinkle it around the outdoor seating and dining area.
- Mix garlic paste with water and spray around the house, garden and plants.
So, if you’re looking for a natural way to keep bees away from your home, garlic is the answer. Not only is it relatively inexpensive, but its long-lasting effect eliminates the need to constantly reapply or replace any chemicals or solutions.
The Sharp Aroma of Vinegar
The unmistakeable note of vinegar can be found in many types of cuisine, from pasta dishes and salads to soups and desserts. Its slightly pungent scent and sharp taste have earned it a place of honor on tables all over the world.
Though it is certainly more of an acquired taste, vinegar has been used for hundreds of years for both cooking and medicinal use. The Romans for example would mix it with a little honey to soothe sore throats. And traditional cultures such as the Chinese and Japanese have appreciated it for centuries, fermenting and ageing it to perfection to create unique condiments with distinct flavors.
Vinegar is made by the natural process of acetification, which turns the sugars in foods like wine, beer, cider, and rice into acetic acids. It comes in a variety of types, each with its own specific characteristics and aroma:
- Balsamic Vinegar – sweet, rich, and perfect for salads
- Apple Cider Vinegar – light and tangy, it is one of the most popular
- White Vinegar – plain and mild, great for pickling
- Sherry Vinegar – a staple of Spanish cuisine, it has a mild flavor
The interesting thing about vinegar is that it has varying intensity and complexity, depending on the age and production method. If you get the chance to do a comparative tasting, it’s an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. The varied aromatic notes of each will surprise and delight, making you reconsider this oft-overlooked ingredient.
Smoke Could Keep Bees at Bay
Bees are sometimes seen as a pest, in regions where they become frequent visitors to our gardens and yards. Everyone loves a bee in nature, but when it has a nuisance of digging through your trash or hanging around the pool, it’s a different story. Fortunately, smoke could be an effective deterrent to prevent these unwanted bees from turning up anywhere you wouldn’t want.
Smoke can be produced with a variety of materials. One of the most popular options is burning sage. Sage smoke has been used for centuries for its wonderful fragrance and for warding off pollen-hungry bugs such as bees. The smoke from sage penetrates bee’s sense of smell, resulting in them being deterred from the area.
What’s more, the scent of the sage smoke will also travel in the air, preventing bees from flying towards you. The smoke acts like a shield against bees showing up in the garden, yard, or even inside the home. All the smoke needs to do is keep the bees away, and the sweet smelling smoke has a good chance of success!
The Benefits of Smoke
- Smoke will act as an effective deterrent to disorientate the bees as they won’t be able to fly through its scent.
- Burning sage is one of the most popular options for producing smoke and it has a beautiful scent.
- The smoke will travel in the air, preventing bees from coming near it.
- Smoke can be used to form a protective shield in areas you don’t want bees to show up.
We can all do our part to ensure we are not disrupting the bee population. Keeping the knowledge of which scents deter bees can help us all step up and protect these important pollinators from danger. Now is the time; let’s all come together and keep the bees away!