Have you ever been stung by a bee and wondered why? Well, research has revealed that bees are naturally drawn to aromas. But there are certain types of scents they avoid. Learn all the buzz on aromas that bees steer away from.
Bees are one of nature’s most important pollinators, and their buzzing is a common sound of the summertime. But there are certain scents that bees abhor, and if gardeners hope to attract these important critters, they ought to take note.
Pesticides: Before stocking up on insecticides and other pesticides, it’s important to remember that these products can be harmful to bees. Many chemical insect control methods can actually scare away the beneficial insects, making that pest problem worse in the end.
Strong Fragrances: If your garden is near an area where people cook outdoors, or if you use any type of fragrant outdoor décor, you may be inadvertently stifling your honeybee visitors. Many strong scents, even pleasant-smelling ones, can scare away bees, so it’s wise to keep such items away from the garden.
Strongly Colored Flowers: While bees are mostly attracted to bright, vibrant colored flowers, there are some colors that they’re not fans of. For example, bees are not overly fond of marigolds, so excessive use of these flowers can be off-putting. What’s more, stark white or yellow flowers often appear to have no fragrance which may prompt bees to think twice before visiting.
Unsure of what fragrances your bee visitors may enjoy? Not to worry! Research which flowers and plants local bees are naturally drawn to (such as lavender, Caryopteris, purslane, etc.), and plant accordingly. Then sit back and admire your bee-friendly garden!
An unwelcome aroma can make even the most determined bee turn back. Bees recognize certain smells that indicate danger, such as smoke, and will generally steer clear of them. A few of the most common aromas to keep bees away include:
- Mint: Sheer, strong minty smells can be a deterrent for bees. Even a small bowl of mint tea or peppermint clipped to the outside of a hives can often be enough to steer the wily insects away.
- Citrus: Much like Mint, citrus essential oils can keep bees away. Tangerine and lemon essential oils may both be effective in deterring them.
- Musk: Not to everyone’s taste, musk will certainly keep the bees away. Spraying a light musk scent in the area where you don’t want bees can be a effective solution.
- Sage: Burning a few sage leaves and smudging an area or leaving some pouches can be enough to keep bees from congregating in a space. Bees generally don’t like the smell of sage.
Using essential oils, candles or scents that bees don’t like could be enough to create a bee-free environment. If you want to make sure the scent sticks, you can also spray essential oils on cotton balls and hang them near the area you want to keep bees away. Finally, be aware of the strong smells which can attract bees, too. Floral scents, sweet smells, and anything that reads as food to a bee can draw them in larger groups.
The idea is to find a natural way to keep bees away by using smells they don’t like. This tried-and-tested method could be enough to help you reclaim the bee-free environment you’ve been looking for.
3. Investigating the Buzz Behind Aromas Bees Avoid
Bees are arguably a key cog in the wheel of humanity, with their ability to pollinate plants and other vegetation making them instrumental for us all. Did you know that in addition to their taste palates, bees also have an acute sense of smell? Their antennae are like their version of the human nose, helping them to locate the source of a particular scent.
Much like us, bees have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell that they use to help them steer clear of any unsavory aromas. But what could a smell be that could drive bees away?
- Mint – In scientific study, bees seemed to steer clear of the scent of mint.
- Clove – This is another strong aroma that bees don’t find particularly pleasant.
- Thompson’s WaterSeal – This common wood sealant is packed full of pungent smells that while pleasant to us might leave bees running for the door.
The scents that make bees buzz away might all be attributable to one thing – chemistry. A team of scientists want to investigate the compounds used in these aromas, and see if those variants can be used as a natural way to keep bees away from crop-damaging areas. If the elements of the scents can be identified, it could lead to a potential new insect repellent discovered entirely in nature.
The research team also wants to explore the different strengths of the scents. If one particular type of aroma is especially strong, then it could be used in even greater concentrations to help keep bees away from valuable crops. In the end, understanding why these aromas buzz the bees away could be an integral part of keeping nature balanced for years to come.
4. Navigating the No-Go Zones of Bee-onomics
Economics, and particularly business economics, has always been a tricky subject. So for any beekeeper, trying to navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of bee-onomics, it can be quite a challenge. Here are four no-go zones to watch out for:
- Taxations and Regulations – All beekeepers should be up-to-date on how to navigate the tax laws in their own country, to stay compliant and avoid any legal issues. Any regulations vary depending on the region and type of hives, so be sure to check all relevant laws before starting.
- Rising Prices – As the demand for bee products continues to increase, prices for hives, bees, and other necessary items may also rise. This can be a issue for beekeepers unfamiliar with the market prices, so it pays to shop around for the best deals.
- Competition – Beekeeping is becoming a lucrative profession, so it’s important to be aware of other beekeepers in the area. Keeping up with the competition in the local market is important to make sure you can stay ahead and profitable in the industry.
- Environmental Changes – Along with rising prices and competition, it’s important to keep in mind the environmental changes that occur in areas where beekeeping takes place. Bees are sensitive to temperature shifts, weather patterns, and food availability, so understanding these patterns in your location is paramount.
Overall, navigating the complexities of bee-onomics can be daunting, but with the right research and knowledge, anyone can stay on top of the market and make sure their bees are always well taken care of!
5. Unfriending Scents: What’s Driving Away the Bees?
Bees play an important role in the world’s food production, and yet they are going through a dangerously steep decline. In addition to the loss of their natural habitats, there are certain man-made scents and fragrances that are driving them away even further.
Substances That Deter Bees
- Synthetic fragrances: Chemical scents added to products such as fabric softener, laundry detergent, and dryer sheets are a formidable enemy for the bee population. As these fragrances waft through the air, it acts as a deterrent for bees to travel to certain flowers.
- Pesticides: Sprayed for the purpose of killing mosquitoes, ants, or other bugs, pesticides can drastically reduce a bee’s chances of making a meal. The residue of the pesticide remains potent and often legal in the air for weeks after application.
- Herbicides: These weed-killing chemicals are another serious threat. While their smell may seem harmless, it can significantly impair bees’ ability to forage for food.
Understanding the influence of these artificial aromas can provide insight into the issue of bee decline and allow us to take measures that
6. Alluring Alternatives to Repel Bees
When it comes to repelling pesky or even dangerous bees, it can be difficult and tricky to know what to do. Thankfully, it’s often possible to use these alternative methods to keep bees away from an area.
Homemade traps
If you want to try a DIY approach to bees, it’s possible to create effective homemade traps. For instance, a Mason jar with a couple of tablespoons of sugar and a few drops of dish soap will attract bees to the jar. The dish soap and the steep walls of the jar mean they can’t escape easily. It’s important to make sure the trap is far away from people.
Plants often keep bees away
-
- Planting sweet-smelling flowers and shrubs around the area that need to be bee-free. For instance, lavender, mint, rosemary, or eucalyptus are known to repel bees.
- If the area where need to keep the bees away is sunny and dry, consider planting bee-repelling herbs like calendula, thyme, and oregano.
- Farmers
- Not-for-profit groups and organizations
- Consumers
- Pesticide and chemical manufacturers and distributors
- Bees
- Soil testing,
- Proper fertilization,
- Mulching,
- Choosing bee-favored local flowers,
- Introducing shrubs and trees,
- Providing a steady food source.
Fabric softener
Fabric softener sheets can also be used to keep bees away from an area. Simply tear the sheets into strips and hang them around the area that needs to be bee-free. The scent of the softener should be enough to keep the bees away.
7. Who Wins (and Who Loses) with Bee Aversion?
Anyone with a vested interest in the continued existence of bees should be aware of who stands to gain—and who stands to lose—from bee aversion. With bees responsible for pollinating not only crops, but the majority of wildflower species, bee-lovers have a great deal of support in their efforts to keep them safe from pests and disease.
The Winners
Bee aversion practices help sustain healthy bee populations that can reliably pollinate food crops, and farmers that rely on these pollinating services benefit from increased yields and higher crop quality. Not-for-profit organizations and groups such as the Honey Bee Health Coalition benefit from bee aversion-focused fundraising, enabling further research into bee health and conservation. Consumers benefit from the availability of higher quality, nutrient-rich, affordable produce.
The Losers
-
Scientific research indicates that some forms of pesticide exposure may be linked to bee fatalities. As a consequence, manufacturers and distributors of such potentially harmful products are likely to be adversely impacted by bee aversion efforts. Ultimately, it is the bees themselves that suffer the most in terms of population decline, with some species threatened by the threat of extinction.
8. Sussing Out the Sweet Spot: Creating Aroma-Friendly Homes for Bees
As bees work hard to pollinate the world, gardeners and landscape designers often wonder – what can we do to make our gardens and landscapes more bee-friendly? Creating an atmosphere that smells sweet and inviting to the noses of bees is one way to aid their presence.
For an environment surrounded by fragrant blooms, gardeners can start with essential components of any landscaping plan – soil testing, proper fertilization, and mulching. Choosing plant varieties that are bee-favored, local to the area, and blooming in successive months will help to ensure an inviting terrain. Flowers such as lavender, lilac, sunflowers, clovers, alliums, and asters, as well as sweet-smelling herbs such as basil and thyme, will all draw in beneficial insects.
Gardeners can also add shrubs and trees to an area to provide the shelter that bees require. Small berries, fruit trees, and flowering plants found in hedges or shrubs provide a steady food source. If considering trees, recall the bee’s affinity for native varieties.
By understanding what elements of a bee-friendly garden need to be in place, and taking the steps necessary to create the right terrain and ambience, we can all welcome the winged workers to our homes with the sweet scent of flowers.
From the sweetest of honey to the dangerous aromas of pesticides, bees have it all figured out when it comes to how to bypass scents to stay safe from harm! While we may have just skatched the surface of the buzz on aromas bees avoid, it’s no doubt that these little pollinators are experts at avoiding unwanted scents.
