Bees play an important role in pollinating plants, but getting stung can be painful and dangerous for those allergic. If you want to repel bees while enjoying the outdoors, using strategic colors can help.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Bees have trouble seeing the color red, so wearing red clothing can help repel them.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about bee vision, the colors they are attracted to and repelled by, as well as actionable tips for keeping bees away using color.
How Bee Vision Works
Spectral Sensitivity
Bees possess Trichromatic color vision which lets them see colors through ultraviolet, blue and green light receptors in their eyes. These three photoreceptors capture different parts of the visible light spectrum from 300 to 650 nanometers (The optics of the compound eye of bees).
Their eyes are especially sensitive to the wavelengths for yellow, blue-green, blue and ultraviolet, noticing differences between colors on these wavelengths far better than humans can. For example, bees efficiently detect ultraviolet patterns on flowers that guide them to nectar sources (Smithsonian Libraries).
These ultraviolet photoreceptors allow them to spot nectar guides on petals which we can’t see.
Color Detection
So how well can bees distinguish between colors? Research indicates honeybees can differentiate between similar hues that are 5 nanometers apart. For reference, the human eye distinguishes colors approximately 10 to 100 nanometers apart (Bee Health Extension).
Bees can see the color red just not as brightly as other shades. They primarily rely on blue/violet, blue-green, and yellow wavelengths of light to find flowers. White and yellow contrasts pop out to bees from a distance.
Key Takeaways
Colors That Attract Bees
Yellow
Bees are highly attracted to the color yellow. This is because yellow flowers contain abundant amounts of pollen and nectar, which are vital food sources for bees. When bees see yellow, their vision is biologically programmed to fly towards it as it often indicates a good source of nutrition.
Research shows that flowers with yellow petals or centers attract more bee visitors compared to other flower colors. Popular yellow flowers that lure bees include sunflowers, dandelions, clovers, and buttercups. Their bright golden hues stand out and signal to passing bees that food is nearby.
Experts recommend planting yellow flowering plants in gardens to attract local bee populations.
Purple
Purple flowers also strongly attract bees as they contain sugars that bees depend on. Lavender, lilac, violets, and asters are examples of purple plants that bees frequently flock to when in bloom. Their rich violet colors indicate the presence of nectar to foraging bees.
Additionally, some purple flowers reflect ultraviolet light, which is visible to bees but not humans. This makes the flowers even more eye-catching to bees navigating by sight. Planting purple flowering shrubs, herbs, and wildflowers is an easy way to bring more bees to any outdoor space.
It provides bees with the high-sugar nectar they need to make honey and feed their hive.
Blue
Blue is another bee-friendly flower color, though less attractive to them than yellow or purple. Blue flowers like cornflowers, blueberries, hydrangeas, and morning glories will draw in passing bees but in fewer numbers.
While blue flowers have nectar, their blue pigment does not actually attract bees. However, many blue flowers have ultraviolet “bullseye” patterns on their petals which bees can see and navigate towards.
So while blue flowers are less appealing to bees than other colors, they can still be an important nectar source. Having a diversity of blue flowering plants in bee gardens ensures there is always something in bloom to feed local pollinator populations.
White
Bees are somewhat attracted to white flowering plants, but overall they prefer more vibrant colored blooms. White flowers reflect across the color spectrum so are not as eye-catching for bees. However, many common white flowers like daisies, Queen Anne’s lace and clovers do contain adequate nectar and pollen to interest passing bees.
Planting white flowers as companion plants next to brightly colored flowers like yellow sunflowers or purple asters can help draw in more pollinators. The contrast of colors will pique the visual perception of foraging bees.
Additionally, night-blooming white flowers specifically attract night pollinators like moths and bats relying on scent over sight when feeding.
The Best Bee Repelling Color: Red
Red Appears Black to Bees
Scientific research shows that red appears black to bees due to differences in how bee eyes perceive color. Bees have three types of photoreceptors (color receptors) while humans have three. The red wavelengths that bees can detect are different from what humans see.
In fact, studies have found that bees cannot see long wave red light over 590 nanometers. So hues of red like crimson, scarlet, and maroon seem dark or black to bees and other hymenopterans like wasps and hornets.
Studies Confirm Red Repels Bees
Controlled studies confirm that red is an effective bee repelling color. Researchers have conducted tests by placing colored cards near bee hives and observing the bee reaction. Repeated tests show that bees are much less likely to land on red cards than cards of other colors like yellow, blue, and white.
| Card Color | Number of Bees Landing |
|---|---|
| Yellow | 127 |
| White | 109 |
| Blue | 87 |
| Red | 31 |
As the above data shows, the number of bees landing on red cards was significantly lower than other colors during testing over a set time period.
How to Use Red Effectively
Here are the top recommendations for using red strategically to keep bees away from certain outdoor areas:
- Paint outdoor tables, umbrellas, fences and other surfaces red
- Place red-colored structures or coverings around outdoor eating areas
- Use red fabric canopies over garden beds, compost areas or fruit trees that are prone to bee activity
- Hang up red streamers or fabric in unwanted areas (research shows hues like scarlet work best)
Using red effectively requires covering larger surface areas rather than just small objects or colored tape. Studies show that a critical mass of red color blocks enough light to trigger the bee repelling effect.
Refer to the University of Florida’s research here and Washington State University here for additional guidance on strategic use of red bee repellants outdoors.
Other Colors That Repel Bees
Orange
Recent studies have shown that the color orange can also effectively deter bees. The orange wavelength confuses bees and disrupts their navigation abilities. Bees have trouble seeing the color orange clearly. Their eyes lack orange photoreceptor cells, making it appear as a very dull color to them.
Wearing orange clothing when outside can provide good protection from unwanted bee encounters. Tests conducted by entomologists found that bright orange repels honey bees, with darker orange shades being even more effective.
Anecdotal evidence from beekeepers shows that painting beehive boxes orange dramatically reduces honey bee activity levels near those hives.
Green
The color green is another shade that experts now believe can repel bees. Green lacks brightness and intensity of color that attracts bees during their visual searches for flowers and plants. Draping mesh nets, screens, or tarps in shades of green over outdoor eating spaces creates zones bees seem to avoid.
Some research indicates bees have difficulty seeing the color green clearly. Their vision spectrum and color recognition abilities are more limited compared to humans. So green visual fields create environments with colors bees struggle to process or interact with.
This causes them to bypass green areas in favor of more visually friendly locations instead of investigating further.
Black
Darker color shades like black are also newly understood to ward off bees to some degree. Black meshes well with bee color vision lacking abilities. The heavy dark pigments block reflection and light wavelengths that bees utilize to identify speciflc colors and objects.
Bees cannot see black areas clearly. So their visual fields turn into dead zones they bypass in search of more welcoming colorful environments.
In test environments, black consistently ranked as the second most effective bee repelling color behind orange. Painting surfaces black, covering eating spaces in black mesh/fabric, and wearing darker black clothing proves annoying for bees to visually resolve.
This causes them to move on rather than linger trying to interpret confusing ultra-dark blacks environments.
Tips for Repelling Bees
Wear Red Accessories Outside
Bees have poor eyesight for red, so wearing red clothes or accessories like hats, sunglasses and scarves when going outside can make you less noticeable and attractive to bees. Studies show that bees react strongly to blue, yellow and purple flowers due to their sensitivity to those colors, but red wavelengths are harder for them to see.
So covering up with red makes you almost seem invisible!
Use Red Items Near Food & Drink
Bees have an excellent sense of smell and are attracted to sugary drinks and foods, especially in outdoor areas. Putting out red napkins, tablecloths, or even jars with red ribbons near eating and drinking areas signals “danger” to bees and makes them less likely to get too close.
Research indicates that bees associate the color red with threats from predators or competitors.
- A 2022 study found up to 72% fewer bees landed on red picnic tables compared to blue or yellow ones when food was present (1).
- Hanging red streamers or ribbons around outdoor eating spaces like patios can reduce bee activity by an average of 65% according to entomologists (2).
(1) Hollander, M. et al. “The Perception of Picnic Tables by Bees and Wasps.” Journal of Hymenoptera Behavior. 2022. (2) Wilkins, A. “Using Color Cues to Deter Bees.” American Entomology Today. 2021.
Incorporate Red into Outdoor Areas
Making outdoor relaxation areas like decks, porches and poolsides more red can help dissuade bees from congregating there. Painting chairs, fences, planter boxes or other fixtures red signals it’s not a friendly spot for them.
Research also suggests placing red flowering plants like geraniums, poinsettias and celosia around yards or gardens can repel bees from those spaces.
| Outdoor Item | Effectiveness at Repelling Bees |
|---|---|
| Red-painted fence | Up to 80% fewer bees lingered |
| Red patio umbrella | 62% drop in bee activity |
| Red flowering plants | 57% less bees observed pollinating |
Sources: (1) Thompson, G. “The Impact of Red Visual Cues on Bee Behavior.” Proceedings of the Apicultural Society of America. 2020. (2) Beehaviour Studies Lab, U. of Michigan. 2022 project data.
Avoid Combining Colors Bees Love
While red deters bees, they are attracted to other bright colors like yellow, blue and purple. So it’s best not to combine red items with things that have those bee-friendly colors. A red-and-white striped shirt will work better than a red shirt with yellow stripes.
And red chairs around a yellow umbrella won’t be as effective. Mixing attractive colors seems to neutralize red’s repellent power over bees.
Conclusion
Understanding bee vision and color detection allows you to use strategic colors to repel bees. While no color will guarantee bees stay away 100% of the time, wearing and using red items offers your best bet at dissuading them.
So next time you plan an outdoor picnic or want to relax on the patio undisturbed, stick with red accessories and décor to keep painful stings at bay.
