Thyme is a woody, herbaceous perennial herb, and like many herbs, it’s popular with bees and other pollinators. Not only do thyme flowers provide nectar and pollen, research shows that some Thymus species may help protect bees against diseases.
Do bees like the smell of thyme?
“Some of the more attractive herbs to bees are thyme, comfrey, borage, oregano, bee’s friend, lemon balm, rosemary, hyssop, sage, lavender and chives.”
What herbs do bees like best?
These 10 common herbs are among some of the best plants in providing bees with valuable nectar and pollen throughout the year.
What do bees like to eat?
- Wild marjoram plant. This aromatic herb produces pinkish-white drifts of nectar-rich flowers.
- Mint.
- Fennel.
- Borage.
- Chives.
- Rosemary.
- Sage.
- Hyssop.
What pollinates thyme?
Common thyme makes a great addition to a pollinator garden. The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.
Does thyme have nectar?
The flowers of thyme are rich in nectar and attractive to bees and butterflies. Thyme is an excellent plant for pollinator gardens, rock gardens, or herb gardens. Some species are primarily ornamental and due to their creeping habit may be used between stepping stones, rocks, ledges, or walls.
Does thyme repel bees?
Often used in cooking, thyme is also known for its ability to repel insects. Not only will this herb help to keep carpenter bees away, it will repel wasps too. Thyme can be planted straight in the ground or in a container.
What herbs do not attract bees?
10 plants that repel bees and wasps
- Cucumber. This popular vegetable not only makes a great addition to summer salads, but also keeps bees and wasps away.
- Basil. Basil is another great choice for your garden that doubles as a kitchen resource and a pest repellent.
- Geraniums.
- Wormwood.
- Marigolds.
- Pitcher Plants.
Which thyme is best for bees?
You can’t go wrong with ‘Common Thyme’ – Thymus vulgaris. Plant it in your garden border or rockery (or in pots) to provide pollen and nectar for a variety of bee species.
Do pollinators like thyme?
Many of the plants of the family lamiaceae, the mint family, are great for pollinators. That includes marjoram as well as thyme, lavender and Russian sage (perovska).
What smells do bees hate?
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.
Is thyme invasive?
I must mention that most members of the mint family will become quite invasive if left to their own devices. Mint, oregano, pennyroyal and even thyme will spread through underground runners and can quickly take over the garden. They can be hard to remove as small bits of roots left behind can grow into full plants.
Do bees like rosemary?
A Bee Favorite!
Rosemary attracts a variety of bees including mason, bumble, mining, and honey bees. It is great for other pollinators, as well, like nectar-feeding flies and butterflies.
What is thyme good for?
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an herb with a distinct smell. The flowers, leaves, and oil are commonly used to flavor foods and are also used as medicine. Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections. It also might help relieve coughing and have antioxidant effects.
What is the difference between thyme and wild thyme?
Wild Thyme is a perennial, more thickset than the Garden Thyme, though subject to many varieties, according to the surroundings in which it grows.
Why does my thyme have flowers?
Botanically known as Thymus vulgaris, thyme is in the mint family. The name ‘Flowering thyme’ is used to describe the plant in full bom, when it is at its most aromatic; the flavor of the leaves heightened by the presence of the flowers. Thyme doesn’t lose its aroma and flavor once it flowers, as some herbs tend to do.
Why is thyme called thyme?
Thyme is the dried leaf from the Thymus vulgaris shrub. The name “thyme” derives from the Greek word thymos which means “to fumigate”. This mostly likely refers to the aroma generated by the burning of thyme as incense in ancient Greek temples. The species name, vulgaris, is Latin for “common” or “widespread”.
Does thyme repel wasps?
However, naturally-repellent plants do exist and include mint, wormwood, lemongrass, citronella, clove, pennyroyal, sage, rosemary, geranium, chamomile, thyme, fennel, wintergreen, and sweet marjoram. Cucumber peels may also repel wasps.
What smells do bees and wasps hate?
Peppermint oil on its own has been shown to act as a natural repellent for wasps and bees, or you can use a combination of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils as a natural pest control method.
Do bees like creeping thyme?
Because it attracts bees so well, this also brings bees to the other plants in your garden. This will result in extra pollination and a happy and healthy flowerbed throughout the growing seasons. While it does attract bees, creeping thyme does not attract rabbits and deer.
What is a natural way to repel bees?
Directions
- Combine 2 or 3 teaspoons of liquid soap with water in your spray bottle.
- Add a few drops of peppermint oil to your mixture.
- Add 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to your mixture.
- Spray this around your doors, windows, decks, patios, and so on to keep your outside events buzz-free.
What can you do to keep bees away?
A very popular method of getting rid of bees is through the use of cinnamon. The smell of cinnamon is a deterrent, just like citrus smells are. Therefore, placing cinnamon sticks in a jar or other container close to your hive is very effective.