If only human conflicts could be solved this easily.
Presenting appetizing floral odors to honeybees negates any aggression in these animals, Australian and French researchers have found.
One of these anti-aggressive scents is lavender, Morgane Nouvian, along with her team of colleagues at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, asserts.
Isoamyl acetate is a very powerful chemical compound, and it is the main ingredient in the honeybee sting alarm pheromone.
When a specific subset of worker bees called guards notice something indicating a possible intruder, they emit this pheromone. Dark, moving objects are a common trigger.
Shortly after the emission, excitement unfolds in the hive, as the bees fly out to try and harass and sting the perceived intruder.
But this defense mechanism can come with the ultimate price. If a bee stings into human skin, for example, the stinger apparatus of the animal is detached and stays in the wound. The bee dies a few hours later.
In their study, the researchers triggered aggression in honeybees by rotating a black leather patch inside a glass vessel.
They introduced their bees inside this "arena," as they called the vessel, and roused them additionally with a black feather.
Sooner or later, the bees got peeved and attacked and stung the leather patch.
In some experiments, the researchers also released alarm pheromone into the chamber leading to even more attacks.
By additionally introducing odorants into the glass vessel, Nouvian and her colleagues could investigate how the bees' reaction changed in the presence of these substances.
Not all floral scents work
Two chemical compounds decreased aggression in honeybees: 2-phenylethanol and linalool. Both are found in essential oils and emit a pleasant floral odor, with linalool showing an additional touch of spiciness. It is produced by mint herbs.
When presented with these odors, the bees were pacified and decreased their attacks against the black patch.
Lavender had the same effect. It is a mixture of linalool and one other odorant.
Other floral scents like limonene - the main odor constituent in citruses - didn't impress the bees at all; they continued attacking with the same frequency.
The researchers surmised that all honeybees have innate preferences for certain fragrances that indicate rewarding nectar-bearing plants.
Decision-making in bees
Were the flower fragrances just stronger than the odor of the alarm pheromone so that the bees couldn't detect the pheromone? The researchers exclude this possibility. Their experiments, they say, show that "these floral odors act as appetitive signals for bees."
Honeybees weigh different odorous stimuli and decide which one is the most important, the researchers concluded. And obviously - food is the most important thing on earth. At least, the research seems to show, it is more important than fighting.
Bees also have a distaste for lavender oil, citronella oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon, and lime. These are all topical defenses you can add to your skin to keep bees away. Unlike other flying insects, bees are not attracted to the scent of humans; they are just curious by nature.
Dark colors like red and black are perceived as aggressive predators so they will be more agitated and defensive towards you. Sticking to white or pale colors would be the best choice. Your smell could also be a factor in whether or not bees give you a visit.
Add plants in the mint family, including peppermint, lavender, basil, and oregano. Bees also like rosemary, sage, thyme, chamomile, marjoram, and bee balm. The heady perfume of these and other herbs often calls bees to visit your garden.
One thing bees hate is vinegar, which makes it a good, safe alternative to store-bought or professional-grade chemical deterrents. Consider filling an empty spray bottle with a homemade vinegar solution of equal parts water and vinegar for an instant bee deterrent.
Avoid bee attention by wearing unscented products. Use an insect repellent to mask the scents. Natural repellents use citrus, mint, and eucalyptus oils. Dryer sheets also make effective insect repellents: tuck one in your pocket if you're hiking or place a few under your picnic blanket.
First spritz is all sticky honey and rum. There is a sort of herbal note but it dissipates quickly. Once this dries down it is all sweet honey, caramel and cocoa with a note of sweet pipe tobacco which is so nostalgic to me.
Most flowering plants rely on insects such as bees for pollination (learn more about pollination here). Insects are efficient pollinators because they can move directly from one flower to another, picking up and unintentionally depositing pollen along the way, allowing angiosperms to reproduce.
Common sources of attack stimulus for honeybees include alarm pheromone, vibrations, carbon dioxide, hair, and dark colors (Crane 1990). This makes sense because mammals, which are common predators of bees, are usually hairy, dark colored, and exhale carbon dioxide.
Which Colors Make Them Attack? You might not think of dark colors such as red or black as being aggressive, but when it comes to bees and wasps, it's true.
Bees are deterred by a number of common herbs, and will not come near areas where these herbs (and their potent smells) are present. Bee-deterring herbs include peppermint, cinnamon, vanilla, and garlic. So, consider putting a few peppermint plants or cinnamon sticks around your picnic area or outdoor patio.
A bee landing on someone holds spiritual meanings in many cultures. Bees are viewed as messengers, bringing messages of luck, positive energy, and guidance. Interpretations vary, connecting with new beginnings or the spiritual realm. This cultural significance adds mystery and wonder to the encounter.
If bees are attacking you en masse, they're most likely defending their home. Attacks by swarms of bees are uncommon. Most bees are not aggressive, said Erika Thompson, a beekeeper with Texas Beeworks.
To keep bees away, plant peppermint in an herb garden or along outdoor patios or decks. Citronella plants have a lemony scent that repels bees. Plant citronella in containers or well-draining soil near doorways, patios, or decks to ward off bees.
Vinegar is the perfect repellent to keep nuisance bugs at bay– as long as you can stand the stench! Carpenter bees similarly avoid the strong smell. If you've noticed carpenter bees hovering around your home or railings, try spritzing a water and vinegar solution around the area.
Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
