As gentle creatures of summertime, bees are the sweethearts of the garden. But not everyone knows the secrets of how to keep the bees around, or just what it is that these remarkable insects either like or dislike. Read on to discover the scents that bees can’t stand!
1. The Sweet Smell of Disapproval: What Scents Keep Bees Away
Bees may be one of the most vital insects for the environment, but sometimes their presence does more harm than good. Swatting away hordes of them from our picnics or backyard BBQs just isn’t practical. Luckily, it turns out that some pungent scents have been proven to ward off these buzzing pests and keep them from wreaking havoc.
- Citrus: Perhaps the most common of all repellant scents, and for good reason. Lemon, orange, tangerine- you name it, they don’t like it. Citrus oils, peels, and even slices have proven an effective natural remedy.
- Mint: There’s something about the smell of mint that bees and other insects really don’t go for. Although not a true mint, the essential oil of Pennyroyal has also proven to be a formidable opponent to pesky bees.
- Vinegar: Home remedies abound and vinegar is no exception when it comes to bees. While the smell might not be ideal for our nostrils, it does the trick for B-Z. Mixing it with a peppermint soap and water can enhance its efficacy.
- Smoke: Generally, a bee will fly away from an area if there is smoke present. Burning woodchips, incense, and candles can create a smoke barrier and help keep them away for the time being.
These are only a few of the smells that have been proven to keep bees away, and some of them might not be as desirable as others. Even still, next time you find yourself surrounded by unwanted buzzers, don’t forget to reach for one of these hand-picked scents. Who knows? It might just be the sweet smell of disapproving bees.
2. Aromatic Enemies: Identifying Scents that Repel Bees
Bees may be beautiful and helpful pollinators, but they can also be a nuisance in the summertime when they fly around our yards and patios looking for food. But there’s a simple way to repel bees naturally and keep them away from certain areas – and it’s all in knowing which smells they don’t like.
Essential Oils
There are several essential oils that bees detest, leading many to choose natural repellents over spraying chemical-filled products in their yards. Some of the most effective oils to use include:
- Lemon
- Orange
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Thyme
- Clove
Essential oils can be used on their own or combined to create a customized blend. Try dabbing spots of essential oil on places where you don’t want bees to land and the strong scent should be enough to keep them away.
Botanicals
Gardeners and bee lovers alike may be familiar with the wide range of botanicals that serve as natural repellents, many of which can be planted near beehives, in the landscape, and in garden beds to keep bees at bay. Garlic and chives, for instance, can be used to ward off honeybees. Basil, cilantro, and citronella, on the other hand, are proven deterrents for a variety of types of bees. As an added bonus, these botanicals also have uses in cooking and beauty, making them a great addition to any home.
3. From Gentle to Strong—Testing Fragrances with Uninvited Pollinators
The question of how strongly-scented fragrances can influence certain types of unwanted pollinators can be very exciting and enlightening. Uninvited pollinators, such as houseflies or even wasps, are the perfect way to test whether or not a fragrance has the right amount of oomph to draw them in or keep them away.
When testing a scent’s effectiveness on uninvited pollinators, start with a small area and use a very gentle scent. This is especially important if you don’t know what the fragrance reaction will be. This will ensure that you don’t make the unintended mistake of drawing in even more uninvited pollinators than you intended. To start, try something light like unscented hand soap, or a citrus-scented essential oil.
Once you’ve established the reaction, you can move to stronger, heavily-scented fragrances to see if these can more effectively deter pollinators. Popular scents are citronella and peppermint. However, it’s best to use caution when testing these. The reaction could be unpredictable and might do more harm than good.
The best way to test a fragrance’s effectiveness on uninvited pollinators is with these steps:
- Start gentle with an unscented soap or light citrus scent.
- Once the reaction is established, move to closely-related scents.
- Test out heavily-scented fragrances with caution.
- Keep an eye on the reaction and adjust as needed.
4. Comparing Citrus to Cinnamon: The Smells Bees are Fleeing
When it comes to aromas, honeybees tend to gravitate towards citrusy smells such as lemon and orange, and flee from those that are too spicy. This makes the comparison between citrus and cinnamon an interesting one. So what makes these two scents so distinct, and why do bees react differently to them? Let’s take a closer look.
Citrus: This can be a broad term meaning anything from lemon, orange, and grapefruit, to lime and tangerine. These all have a sweet, acidic smell that’s incredibly attractive to honeybees, who love being drawn to something they can savor and benefit from. Many flowers and fruit blossoms have this type of smell as well, which may explain why bees are drawn to them.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon has a strong, spicy aroma that is quite distinct from citrus. This scent is actually quite powerful and can be too sharp for bees to enjoy. While it’s not known why bees don’t like the smell of cinnamon, it may have something to do with its strong aroma overpowering their olfactory senses. While cinnamon may be pleasant to people, it’s not really sweet enough to attract bees.
When it comes to smells, bees will always prefer gentle, sweet scents like citrus over pungent odors like cinnamon. If you’re looking to attract bees to your garden or backyard, opt for citrus-scented plants such as oranges, lemons, and limes. However, if you’re looking for a smell that can drive away bees, you might want to try something with a little spice in it, like cinnamon. The stronger the scent, the fewer bees you’ll see buzzing around!
5. A Rain Garden of Unpleasant Aromas: Pungent Scents that Make Bees Say “No Thanks”
Rain gardens should be a pleasant outdoor escape, from the pungent aroma that can turn heads! But, fear not! There are a few common plants with odoriferous stench that can help bees say an emphatic “no thanks!”
- Stinking Chaff Flower – A native of North America, its pungent smell and small yellow flowers are a major deterrent to bees.
- Winter Savory – An evergreen with a distinctive, strong smell. The smell itself is strong enough to repel insects, and the ower’s flavour and bitter taste add to its appeal.
- Garlic Mustard – This three-year-old biennial has a rank, bitter smell that is easily noticeable and unappealing to bees.
Having a variety of these unpleasant smelling plants can help reduce the presence of unwanted bugs, including bees. Planting them in an area of the rain garden away from heavily traveled areas can also help reduce their smell so that visitors to the garden don’t get overwhelmed.
A well-designed rain garden with a few pungent blooms can make all the difference when it comes to away-from-home insect control. Strategically planted, these odorous flowers can make your rain garden a place of peace and quiet.
6. Minty Dreams and Garlic Nightmares: Investigating Odors that Keep Bees Away
It’s no secret that bees are naturally drawn to flowers and other sources of food due to the scents they produce. But what if their attraction isn’t so easily swayed? In order to help better understand how to protect crops from pests, researchers have spent time studying the ways that bees respond to particular odors.
One recent study set out to explore the power of aroma on bee behavior, particularly with regards to repelling the pollinators. What the researchers found was that two of the most effective repellers were the fragrances of mint and garlic. Apparently, their strong aromas were enough to cause aversive reactions in the bees, effectively scaring them away from whatever source was producing the odor.
- Mint: Just a few sprigs of this herb are enough to bother bees and drive them off.
- Garlic: Both raw and cooked garlic were found to be effective in this experiment.
It’s an intriguing discovery that could have an immediate impact on pest control strategies. By making use of common kitchen ingredients, farmers and gardeners may have access to an entirely new tool that makes protecting their crops easier. When it comes to natural pest repellents, these two odors may prove to be the key to keeping bees away.
7. Get Ready to Spray: Crafting a Bee-Free Environment with Aromatic Barriers
Humans and insects have been battling it out since the dawn of time, often with nature’s beneficial creatures getting the short end of the stick. Being swarmed by bees is an unwelcome summer experience, and one that often frightens even the bravest of souls. But fear no more!
Creating an aromatic barrier can help drive away bees and eliminate the risk of being stung. To be prepared in case of a buzzing emergency, here are some easy steps to take:
- Choose Your Scent: Lemongrass, eucalyptus, rosemary and mint are all successful in deterring bees, so pick whichever scent you prefer!
- Mix It Up: Create a powerful potpourri mix: Grind 3-4 tablespoons of your chosen herb, add to 100ml (3.4 fl. oz) of vegetable oil and beat with a whisk.
- Ready, Spray, Go!: Transfer your mixture to a spray bottle and shake well. Spritz it around your home, garden or any other area you want to keep bee-free.
Remember that the amount of ingredients used should depend on the space treated, so feel free to be creative and adjust the recipe according to your needs. Now that you’ve got your aromatic barrier ready, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll stay safe from bees and have a peaceful outdoor experience.
8. Breaking the Buzz: Scents That bees Find Unappealing and How to Use Them
Bees are buzzing away, gathering sustenance and buzzing happily, until they come into contact with a scent they don’t like. What can you do to deter their buzzing? Well, it turns out, quite a lot! Here are 8 scents that bees find unappealing and how to use them:
- Mint – Mint is the go-to when it comes to deterring bees. Whether it is peppermint extract or Mint oil, bees will avoid the scent!
- Citronella – This citrusy aroma is unpleasant to bees, as well. Citronella emits a strong aroma when burned, and it’s even more effective to use in combination with other scents like mint.
- Garlic – Believe it or not, garlic is toxic to the little buzzers. Crush some garlic bulbs and sprinkle the pieces around the nesting areas of the bees.
- Vinegar – Vinegar also carries a strong and acidic scent that deters bees. All you have to do is mix up some vinegar and water and spray it around the bee’s nest to yell away!
- Lavender – Lavender carries a flowery and delicate scent, but it’s actually quite strong and can repel the bees when sprayed around their home
- Cinnamon – Believe it or not, the smell of cinnamon can drive bees away. You can boil cinnamon sticks in water to create a steam and spray it near the bee’s nest.
- Lemongrass – This plant’s smell deters bees, as well. Lemongrass can be either crushed and sprinkled around the nesting area or burned in an open flame to spread the smell.
- Rosemary – Finally, rosemary strongly repels bees. Rosemary can be planted near the bee’s nesting area or even boiled in water to make a repellent spray.
These 8 scents will banish bees and keep them away, without harming them. If you’re looking for an effective and natural way to keep them away, these 8 should do the trick.
Have you found a way to keep bees away from your garden? We hope this article has given you insight into the scents that bees naturally dislike, so you can make your environment bee-free with ease. Now that you know what smells bees don’t appreciate, you can confidently explore your anti-bee scent options!
