When the gentle summertime breeze is filled with the familiar buzzing of bees, the first instinct is usually to quietly move away from the scene. Of course, with respect to our fuzzy, yellow and black insect friends, science has shown that it’s not just the sight of a bee that we need to be aware of – their sense of smell is up to 10 million times more powerful than that of a human. However, a few calming scents may be just what is needed to soothe the buzz. Let’s explore a few fragrances that could do the trick.
1. The Alleviating Aroma of Bee-Calming Scent
Harnessing the calming scent of nature’s busy bee, we can create an effective natural environment in any setting, no matter how crowded or chaotic the atmosphere might be. With the help of certain aromatic plants – such as the common hop and scented thyme – the calming aroma of bee-calming scent can potentially reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing.
Humble Hop & Scented Thyme
- Create an effective natural environment in any setting
- You can burn dried hop and thyme, releasing the calming aroma
- Particularly effective for stress relief and improved mood
The subtle scent of the hop blossom is said to help with relaxation along, side soothing the senses of the bee-calmer. Sprinkles of fresh or dried thyme creates a blend that is said to be particularly effective at easing emotions and tensions. Combining the two plants together allow you to create an environment that can help reduce agitation and anxiety, as well as helping to relieve physical tension in the neck and back.
So if a chaotic atmosphere is causing a distressed feeling, or anytime you need to feel more settled, reach for a hop and thyme blend. With the help of these calming aromas, you can have a much more hospitable environment, free from unrest and tension.
2. Aroma Therapy: Finding a Soothing Fragrance for Bees
As a beekeeper, it’s important to be aware of the different smells that attract and repel bees. One of the most popular smell solutions for beekeepers is Aroma Therapy. This simple and relatively inexpensive method can be used to keep bees away from a certain area or to attract them to another.
Aroma Therapy relies on the power of scent to attract, repel, or relieve stress in bees. What might be an attractive bee aroma to us, however, will be an unpleasant one to bees. Finding the right scent for a bee colony can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort for the bees’ well-being.
When looking for a soothing smell for bees, consider the following options:
- Fresh flowers – The delicate scent of flowers can be both calming and appealing to the bee. Lavender, chamomile, and jasmine are popular choices.
- Herbal ingredients – Certain herbs are known to be more bee-friendly, such as lemon balm, catnip, and thyme. These can be used as part of a special bee-friendly mix.
- Essential oils – Essential oils such as lavender and lemongrass provide nice aroma therapy for bees. These can also be used as a scent to keep away pests or predators from the hive.
By using Aroma Therapy in beekeeping, you’re helping to ensure that your bees have a safe and healthy environment. The right scents can help to reduce stress and keep away predators, which makes for strong and thriving colonies.
3. Natural Solutions: Identifying the Fragrances that Bees Love
We all know that good smells attract bees. Whether they’re flying around lawns in summer or hovering around flowers in spring, their noses are constantly on the lookout for fragrances. So how do we identify those smells that bees go crazy for?
Take a look at your surroundings – have you noticed that bees often buzz around certain plants? Lavender, sunflower and thyme are some of the flowers that bees are particularly attracted to, as are plants such as yarrow and luisa. If you have any of these plants in your garden, you can bet that the bees will be paying them a visit.
Think about fragrance notes – bees tend to like floral scents and some of the most popular ones are honeysuckle, jasmine, lavender, rose and ylang-ylang. You can buy these fragrances in essential oils or in scented candles. Not only will they attract the bees, but they can also be used to create a pleasant atmosphere in your home.
Try some herbal blends – you may be surprised at what the bee-friendly blends can contain. A few to consider are bergamot, chamomile, fennel, elderberry and eucalyptus. All of these will create a pleasant, inviting scent for the bees, and for any other guests you may have!
Don’t forget that the natural fragrances mentioned here are just the start of your bee-attracting journey. Experiment with your garden and explore the many ways in which you can make it an even more inviting place for bees. Who knows, you might even come up with some recipes of your own!
4. Clearing the Air: Steps for Emitting the Right Fragrance
-
Gone are the days of heady rushes associated with suffocating room fragrances!
- Creatively introduce negative ions to your living space to clear the air. This can be accomplished by setting up waterfeatures with indoor fountains, hanging living plants around the room, or using professional air purifiers.
- Choose natural fragrances over synthetic ones. You can opt for essential oil diffusers or water-based scent dispensers.
- Make use of scented candles made of all-natural selected waxes like beeswax and soy.
- Fresh linen is the perfect source for a long-lasting soothing scent.
- Avoid strong scents on the fabrics, furniture, and walls. These can be smelt far away!
The beauty of these home-made options is that one can try various theramin-like effects at a fraction of the cost!
The trick to creating the right atmosphere lies in creating the right balance of fragrance in the room.
5. Measuring the Impact: A Look at Studies on Bee Calming Fragrances
It’s hard to deny the impact of bee calming fragrances, but the real question is: how do we measure it? A quick look at a variety of studies on the topic gives us a glimpse at what science has to say.
- Pollination Studies: Studies have found that flower pollination by bees increased significantly after the use of bee calming fragrances. This increase has been found to be particularly prominent in species that are known to visit flowers frequently.
- Attractiveness to Other Insects: Studies suggest that the presence of certain bee calming fragrances can attract a range of other beneficial insects, including those that are beneficial to crops. This can help to maintain the biodiversity of an area and to further increase pollination.
- Soil Health Studies: Studies suggest that bee calming fragrances can improve soil health by helping the soil retain moisture and essential nutrients that are beneficial to plants. This can help to make areas more fertile and grow healthier plants.
Ultimately, although the full effects of bee calming fragrances may still be relatively unknown, the studies conducted thus far suggest that these fragrances can be beneficial in a number of ways. It is likely that further research will reveal more of the impact that such fragrances have on the environment.
6. Peaceful Coexistence: Making Room for a Buzz-Free Life
• Minimizing Distractions. We can all agree that life can be quite chaotic. Unfortunately, the sounds around us can easily become sources of stress and distraction. To embrace more peaceful coexistence, we need to find ways to minimize these distractions.
- Connect with Nature. Listening to nature’s calls is one thing, for example bird song or a babbling brook. You could also use natural soundscapes to reduce noisy environments and create a comfortable environment.
- Keep it Low. Change the volume on any electronic chatter. Whether it’s a television or speakers, keep the volume low – don’t force it on people.
- Respect it. Ask people before invading their space with music or entertainment. And have respect for someone else’s time of day. Parties end when the neighbors are asleep!
• Log Off and Unplug. In this digital age, it is very easy to get overwhelmed with the vast waves of technology. Spending a day unplugging and cutting off all internet-enabled devices doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing idea. We can start off by logging off after a couple of hours of work, and devoting some time to tranquil moments just for ourselves or with others.
- Switch off your Computers/ Smartphone/Tablets and put them away at least for a few hours.
- Take this time for a peaceful stroll in a nearby park, drinking in nature’s serene beauty, to help relax your soul.
- Restrict Social media use by picking and choosing which platforms to participate in and control how much time you allocate to them.
• Count your Blessings. More often than not, when we are surrounded by too much noise, our emotions get the better of us. No matter how difficult it gets, one must accept the situation and carry on. At times, it can be useful to practice stress management techniques like deep breathing, conscious body relaxation, mindfulness or gratitude. After all, a grateful heart is a magnet for joy – so it’s important to count our blessings.
- Identify what works for you and add it to your daily routine.
- Try to find something that you can be grateful for in every moment.
- Practice the art of kindness and compassion – remember to add a little extra mile for others and smile when it counts.
7. Finding an Oasis: Sources of Fragrances to Peacefully Live in Harmony
Life can get noisy. The hustle and bustle of daily errands, the ringing of phones, the ding from emails, and the likelihood of an unpredictable day can create an overwhelming atmosphere. To find peace in chaos, everyone can use a few resources to bring out their inner zen.
Nature
- Take a walk in the park, by a lake, or in your backyard garden, and take the time to appreciate the fresh air and abundance of life.
- Try meditation as you stroll, and take moments to be mindful of the natural environment around you.
Aromatherapy
- Introduce fragrant candles, oils, or incense into your home to help set the ambience for peace and relaxation.
- Essential oils derived from plants, flowers, and trees can be used in your diffusers or hot baths to create calming and reviving effects on the body.
Music
- Choose some calming and soothing music to reset the atmosphere.
- Find music in different genres, from classical to jazz, to indie folk, depending on the mood you want to create.
Guided by these sources, a simple and serene oasis of peace can be created for any stressful day. Everyone can take a step back, relax, and take a deep breath in their own personal oasis.
8. The Sweetest Smells: Enjoying the Results of Calm Bees
Smelling the sweet scent of a honeycomb is an aromatheraputic experience. Each tranche of honeycombs fresh out of the hive carries its own unique scent. It’s why so many beekeepers will eagerly open the hives every few days to inspect the wonderful progress made by their calm and hardworking bees.
The wonderful aromas of sweet and pure honey has been known to offer great pleasure when inhaled. Honey is composed of water, enzymes, sugars, pollen grains, wax and an array of other natural ingredients, which all contribute to its atmospheric scent. No matter where you have your bee hives, be sure to take the time to appreciate your bee’s sweet and fragrant work.
And the rewards of beekeeping don’t stop there. If you’re lucky enough to have access to some of your own home-made honey, there are a few wonderful things you can make with it, such as:
- Natural sweetener – Forget the supermarket sugar. Use for a healthy and delicious alternative, or to add zing to a cup of tea
- Granola – Skip the store and make your own crunchy, delicious granola with your own honey at home
- Marinades – Create delicious sauces for chicken and vegetables, perfect for summer grilling
The benefits of having your own bee hives goes beyond the simple pleasure of inhaling the sweet scent of a honeycomb. The rewards of being a beekeeper can be experienced for years to come.
When working with bees, it’s important to remember that it pays to be safe. Fragrance has now been added to our list of tools to help soothe and calm honeybees, helping everyone get back to work sooner and safer. So, the next time you face a buzzing bee situation, don’t forget that a touch of scent has the potential to do wonders!
