Do Marigolds Repel Bees

If you’re looking for a natural way to keep bees away from a specific area of your garden, you might be wondering: do marigolds repel bees? The short answer is, it’s complicated. While marigolds are famous for their pest-repelling abilities, their relationship with bees isn’t as straightforward as you might hope. This article will give you the clear, practical facts you need to use marigolds effectively in your garden planning.

Let’s get straight to the point. Marigolds do not reliably repel bees. In fact, bees are often seen visiting marigold flowers. The confusion comes from marigolds’ well-earned reputation for repelling other insects. Their strong scent, which comes from compounds like limonene and pyrethrum, is excellent at deterring nematodes in the soil and aphids above it. However, this scent doesn’t work as a universal bee deterrent.

Bees, especially honeybees and bumblebees, are primarily attracted to pollen and nectar. While some marigold varieties have less accessible pollen, many types still provide a food source. So, planting marigolds alone won’t create a bee-free zone. Understanding this helps you set realistic expectations and choose the right strategies.

Why Bees Sometimes Visit Marigolds

Bees go where the resources are. If marigolds are in bloom and other, more attractive flowers are scarce, bees will visit them. Here’s what draws them in:

Pollen Availability: Some marigold cultivars, particularly single-flowered or semi-double types, have exposed pollen that bees can easily collect.
Nectar Guides: Marigold petals often have ultraviolet patterns, invisible to us, that act as landing guides for bees.
Seasonal Scarcity: In late summer or fall, when fewer plants are blooming, marigolds become a valuable food source.

Marigold Varieties and Bee Attraction

Not all marigolds are the same. The type you plant makes a big difference.

French Marigolds (Tagetes patula): These are often cited as the best for pest repellency. Their scent is strongest, but they still have open centers that can attract bees when other food is limited.
African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta): These have large, dense, pom-pom flowers. Their pollen is harder for bees to access, making them less attractive. They might be your better choice if you’re trying to minimize bee visits.
Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia): These have tiny, single flowers and are actually quite attractive to pollinators, including bees, for their prolific blooms.

Effective Natural Bee Deterrent Strategies

Since marigolds aren’t a foolproof solution, consider these effective natural bee deterrent methods. You can use them alone or combined with marigolds for a layered approach.

1. Plant Choices That Minimize Bee Traffic

Bees see the world differently. They are less attracted to certain colors and flower shapes. Incorporate these plants to gently steer bees away from patios or doorways:

Red-Flowering Plants: Bees don’t see red well. Opt for red geraniums, begonias, or impatiens.
Heavily Scented Herbs: Strong herbal scents from mint, lemongrass, or wormwood can mask attractive floral smells.
Wind-Pollinated Plants: Grasses, ferns, and hostas don’t produce showy flowers or nectar, so bees ignore them.

2. Create a Distraction Garden

The best strategy is often to give bees a better option. Plant a pollinator garden filled with their favorites in a corner of your yard far from high-traffic areas. This draws them away from where you don’t want them. Excellent bee magnets include:

Lavender
Borage
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Sunflowers
Salvia

3. Use Scent and Visual Deterrents

Bees rely heavily on scent and sight. You can disrupt these senses naturally.

Cucumber Peels or Garlic: Placing these near seating areas can create an odor bees tend to avoid.
Decoy Wasp Nests: Fake paper wasp nests can deter bees, as they are territorial and avoid other colonies.
Avoid Bright Colors: Don’t use bright blue, yellow, or white in your patio decor, as these colors attract bees.

Step-by-Step: Using Marigolds in Your Bee-Aware Plan

Here is a practical plan to integrate marigolds into your garden for overall pest management, with bee activity in mind.

Identify Your Goal Area: Decide which specific area you want to make less inviting to bees (e.g., around a patio, front steps).
Plant a Border of African Marigolds: Choose the dense, double-flowered African types. Plant them thickly around the perimeter of your goal area. Their strong scent may help with other pests and their low bee appeal is a plus.
Fill In With Red and Scented Plants: Inside the marigold border, plant your red flowers and strong herbs. This creates a multi-sensory barrier that’s more effective.
Set Up Your Distraction Garden: At the farthest point from your goal area, plant a cluster of bee-friendly flowers. This gives them a purposeful and rewarding destination.
Maintain Regularly: Deadhead (remove spent blooms) from your marigolds and deterrent plants. This prevents them from going to seed, which can sometimes attract bees, and encourages more foliage growth for scent.

Important Safety and Ecological Notes

Remember, bees are crucial pollinators. Our goal is never to harm them, but to guide them safely. Never use pesticides on or near plants that bees might visit. Also, if you or a family member has a severe bee sting allergy, these natural methods are not a substitute for professional pest control or medical advice. They are for gentle discouragement only.

It’s also worth noting that wasps and hornets are different from bees. While marigolds don’t repel bees effectively, their scent might have a slightly greater effect on some wasp species, but it’s still not a guaranteed method. Proper food and trash management is far more important for deterring wasps.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

What smells do bees hate the most?

Bees generally avoid strong, pungent smells from vinegar, garlic, citronella, and certain herbs like eucalyptus and peppermint. However, these need to be reapplied frequently outdoors.

Will marigolds keep bees away from my pool?

Probably not. Bees are often at pools for water, not pollen. Marigolds won’t address this. Provide a shallow bee water station with stones for landing far from the pool to redirect them more effectively.

What is the best natural bee repellent for a patio?

A combination approach works best. Use container plants with red flowers, occasionally place bowls with cucumber peels, and ensure no sugary drinks or food are left uncovered. A decoy wasp nest hung in a corner can also help.

Do bees like all flowers?

No. Bees prefer blue, purple, yellow, and white flowers that are single or have open shapes (like daisies). They often avoid double-flowered hybrids where pollen and nectar are hidden, and they can’t see the color red clearly.

Are marigolds good for anything else in the garden?

Absolutely! Marigolds are superstar companion plants. They are excellent at repelling soil nematodes and deterring aphids, whiteflies, and even rabbits from vegetable gardens. Many gardeners swear by planting them with tomatoes and peppers.

In conclusion, while the idea that marigolds repel bees is a common garden myth, they are still incredibly valuable plants. By understanding their limits and combining them with other smart, natural strategies, you can create a garden that manages pest insects while respecting the vital role of bees. The key is smart plant selection and strategic garden layout, not relying on a single quick fix. With this plan, you can enjoy your outdoor spaces more comfortably and your garden will be healthier for it too.