The buzzing of a bumblebee is a familiar sound in the warmer months. But, have you ever wondered: What kind of smells make bumblebees buzz away? Let’s take a look at some of the odors that bees just can’t stand.
1. When Scents Sting: A Look at Smells Bumblebees Despise
Bumblebees, like all animals, have likes and dislikes when it comes to smells. Although the origins of the bee’s preferences are unclear, scientists have identified some particular scents that they seem to loathe. Here’s a list of smells that make bumblebees buzz off:
- Tobacco – The distinct smell of tobacco smoke can act as an irritant to a bee, sending them far away from smoke-filled areas.
- Lavender – This aromatic flower is known for its calming properties for humans, but for bees it denotes danger. So, an abundance of lavender can turn them away.
- Pine – As a seemingly innocuous scent, it can be a surprise to learn that the smell of pine is a major bumblebee no-no.
Aside from these more natural odors, studies have also shown that specific chemical smells can be particularly bothersome to bees. The most commonly discussed chemicals are of a commercial kind, and they’re often used as pesticides. Naphthalene, which is a fungicide or insecticide and is often used against termites and moths, is one of the worst smells and can easily repel a bee. Manganese and copper, two trace elements found in fertilizers, are also known to create an unpleasant atmosphere that can turn a bee off.
Understanding scents that bees despise can come in handy, especially when trying to limit the effects of the insects. However, please keep in mind that these are only a small portion of the smells a bee may dislike. Each species may have its own particular likes and dislikes, so it’s best to look into the specifics of a bee species before it’s included in a study.
2. Keeping Bees Away – Top Aromas to Avoid
Bees are an important part of the ecosystem, but they are a nuisance when they decide to take up residence in your backyard. Fortunately, there are ways to keep them away. You can make use of certain aromas to repel them, but it’s critical to understand which ones to avoid.
- Vanilla: Although it sounds counterintuitive, vanilla is actually a scent that attracts bees, so avoid any products with this aroma if you want to keep them away.
- Lavender: Lavender is said to have calming and medicinal effects, but bees find it quite alluring.
- Fruit Scents: Anything with a fruity aroma will be particularly attractive to bees and should be avoided if you want to keep them away.
It’s important to take into account the strength of the scent too. Strong fragrances are likely to attract more bees and should be avoided. On the other hand, subtle aromas will have little effect on whether bees are attracted or not.
Finally, keep in mind that bees have strong memories, so aromas that you’ve used in the past will draw them back to the area. Make sure to switch things up in order to keep the bees away. Ultimately, if you want to deter bees from your space, you’ll need to steer clear of any fragrances that tend to draw them in.
3. Sour Scents: How Acidity Works Against Bumblebees
Working in nature sometimes requires a “sour scent” – a smell so potent it will drive bugs away from a crop. Acidity is a key element in creating this pungent aroma, and it has an especially potent effect on bumblebees.
- The Acidity Effect: Acidity affects a bee’s brain and senses, dulling their ability to identify sweet-smelling nectar and pollen sources. The acrid smell of sour scents can even disrupt a bee’s natural navigational cues, momentarily confusing them and sending them off in the opposite direction.
- A Botanical Solution: One possible solution to protect bee populations is through the use of botanicals, including essential oils like lavender and peppermint. These natural scents have been found to have the same deterrent effect on bumblebees, without actually disrupting their ability to get from one place to another.
Many people in the agricultural industry are turning to sour scents as a way to protect their crops from bees. While this can be effective at times, using botanical scents instead is a safer and more sustainable way to ward off bees if necessary.
In the end, it’s important to remember that bees are a vital part of our world and should be protected as much as possible. Protecting crops can be done while still maintaining a healthy bee population – and that’s where botanicals come in.
4. Spicy Aromas: Guess Who’s Not Coming to the Picnic?
If you love bold flavors, you won’t have to worry about who’ll be at your picnic – they’re all invited! With a wide variety of availble options, even the pickiest eaters will find something they love. Here’s just four favorites that will add plenty of zip to grazing or dinner!
- Chilli Cornbread – This quick and easy cornbread packs some serious heat with a generous sprinkle of chilli powder. Perfect for day or night, this is a great way to ramp up the flavor of your picnic food!
- Tandoori Chicken – Cook up some tender chicken thighs smothered in a tandoori marinade. This flavorful dish is sure to be a hit with dinner guests and provide plenty of heat. Serve it with a side of basmati rice for a pleasant treat!
- Spicy Tomato Salsa – If you’re looking to spice up your picnic food, try adding some homemade tomato salsa. It adds zip to sandwiches, salads and just about anything else you can think of. Best of all, it’s easy to prepare and ready to enjoy in no time!
- Jalapeno Poppers – For the spicy-lovers in your bunch, jalapeno poppers are a a great way to kick up your picnic fare! Stuffed with a cheesy filling and deep-fried for crisp perfection, these little bombs of flavor will have everyone asking for more. Serve them with a creamy ranch dipping sauce for the perfect accompaniment!
If your picnic is all about the spicy flavors, you won’t have to worry about any bland meals. There’s something for everyone, from the mild-mannered to the more daring!.
5. Bitter Blooms: Why Bees Shun Some Fumes
Bees don’t take kindly to all the smells in nature. While a flower gardener might marvel at the dizzying heights of fragrancies, bees don’t always see it that way. Certain odors can be quite off-putting to them, and here are 5 of those notorious stinkers:
- Anthranilic Acid: Found in certain plants, this is an attractive smell to some, but to bees it smells just like snakes. Not a very pleasant smell.
- Eugenol: This is the same stuff that gives cloves their distinctive smell, so that’s why bees don’t like them – it’s the same smell as a potential predator.
- Methyl anthranilate: Another smell that bees don’t like, this is used in some perfumes to give them a fruity smell, but to bees its just like the smell of a predator.
- Guaiacol: Commonly found in some essential oils, this stuff stinks. To bees, it smells like potential danger, so they stay away.
- 1-Octene-3-ol: This chemical is found in some fruits, giving them a distinct smell. But to bees it’s just like a nasty sting. They don’t want any part of it.
This doesn’t mean that all odors are bad for bees; some of the things they like smell really pleasant to us. But the items noted above are all on the list of off-putting smells to them. If a beekeeper wants to keep their bees happy, they should make sure they steer clear of these scents whenever possible.
So if you find yourself in need of some extracts, oils, or fragrances that might keep away bees, make sure to look for these smelly substances on the label so you can stay away from them!
6. Abhorrent Odors: Urban Legends and Real Anathema to Bumblebees
Bumblebees have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, capable of detecting odors far too faint for humans to perceive. Unfortunately, these odors can sometimes be abhorrent, making them an anathema to bumblebees. Here are some oft-repeated urban legends and some real anecdotes of bumblebees being repelled by odors.
Urban Legends:
- Peppermint: People often talk about the common myth that bumblebees don’t like peppermint. However, the truth is that bumblebees aren’t repelled by peppermint odors; some are even attracted to them!
- Clove: Like peppermint, it is believed that clove can be used to repel bumblebees. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim.
Real Anecdotes:
- Lemon Grass Oil: The strong odor emitted by this oil has been known to repel bumblebees, even causing them to lose their balance.
- Mothballs: The strong smell of mothballs has been found to repel bumblebees.
- Garlic: Garlic has been known to repel bumblebees due to its strong odor.
The truth is, despite what urban legends might tell you, most odors that repel bumblebees are quite strong. The good news is there are plenty of ways to manage your bumblebee population and keep odors from becoming an issue.
7. Getting It Right: Sensational Scents Bumblebees Love
Creating a perfectly charismatic garden for bumblebees is about more than just the plants in it. There’s one important part of the equation that many people get wrong: sensational scents bumblebees love.
The flowers bumblebees prefer have a large, strong scent that fills the air. That strong scent is attractive to bumblebees, so knowing how to make your garden smell great is essential in luring in these amazing little creatures. But choosing the right scent can be tricky, so here are a few top tips:
- Choose a combination of single flower scents and complex mixes of several fragrances.
- Look for plants with heavy, complicated scents that fill the garden, including varieties of lilies, lilacs, and roses.
- Experiment with different varieties. Not all bumblebees have the same preferences.
For a real bumblebee-friendly treat, create a ‘scent triangle’ with flowers of the same color but different scents around each corner. This gives bumblebees plenty of options and keeps them coming back for more. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try some homemade herbal scents? These might be even more interesting for your buzzing friends!
8. Planting for Pollinators: Strategies for Blooming Gardens Bumblebees Thrive In
Pollinators abound all around us, from bumblebees to butterflies. To enjoy these creatures at their peak, gardeners must create spaces that are inviting and blooming with a variety of plants that these critters love. Let’s look at a few strategies to make your garden a place for bumblebees to frantically buzz about.
Select the Right Plants
Plants that provide nectar and pollen for the bumble bees should be the star of your garden. Look for plants such as lavender, foxglove, and blackberries that the bees are fond of. Colorful annuals and perennials should also be included that are easily accessible to the bees.
Variety
Variety is the spice of life – and also of your garden! Try to create a mix of flowering plants so that there’s blooming something at any time throughout the year. Some excellent options are:
- Aquilegia
- Catmint
- Feverfew
- Goldenrod
- Lamb’s ear
- Lavender
- Salvia
If given the opportunity, bumblebees will create their own individual to-do lists for these plants, creating the most amazing flowery string compositions for nectar gathering.
Avoid Pesticide Use
We all want our plants to be healthy and happy and harmless from pests, but it is important to be aware that when we harvest our gardens with chemical use, many beneficial creatures are dying as well as pests. Use alternative methods to maintain the balance and health of your plants, so that you are not unintentionally killing off bees.
From bitter to sweet, bumblebees can make out a wide range of smells. To avoid unwelcome visits, it’s important to recognize the odors that these industrious insects particularly hate! Until next time, friends–happy smelling!
