Does Lavender Repel Bees And Wasps

Lavender does not repel bees and wasps.
 
In fact, lavender is one of the best plants you can grow if you want to attract bees to your garden.
 
Bees absolutely love lavender, and wasps often visit it too for the nectar.
 
So if you’ve been asking “does lavender repel bees and wasps,” the short answer is no—it does the opposite.
 
However, there’s a common confusion because lavender is known to repel certain other pests like mosquitoes, moths, and fleas.
 
That’s probably where the myth about lavender repelling bees and wasps comes from.
 
In this post, we’ll explore why lavender doesn’t repel bees and wasps, what it actually does, and what you can plant instead if repelling these insects is your goal.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

Why Lavender Doesn’t Repel Bees and Wasps

Lavender doesn’t repel bees and wasps, and here’s why:

1. Bees Are Genetically Attracted to Lavender

Bees have evolved over millions of years to seek out flowers with specific colors, shapes, and scents.
 
Lavender checks all those boxes perfectly.
 
The purple-blue flowers are highly visible to bee eyes, which see ultraviolet light differently than humans do.
 
The tubular flower shape makes it easy for bees to access nectar.
 
And the sweet, strong fragrance is like a neon sign saying “free food here” to every bee in the neighborhood.
 
So when you ask does lavender repel bees, the answer is a resounding no—it’s actually a bee magnet.
 

2. Wasps Also Feed on Lavender Nectar

Wasps get a bad reputation, but many species are actually pollinators too.
 
They visit lavender for the same reason bees do—nectar.
 
While wasps are more aggressive in late summer when food sources dwindle, they’re still attracted to lavender, not repelled by it.
 
So if you have wasps around your lavender, they’re not there because the plant failed to repel them.
 
They’re there because lavender provides exactly what they’re looking for.
 

3. The Scent That Repels Pests Isn’t Strong Enough for Bees

Lavender contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate that do repel certain insects.
 
That’s why lavender oil works against mosquitoes and moths.
 
But bees and wasps are not bothered by these compounds in the same way.
 
In fact, the concentration of these compounds in living lavender plants is much lower than in concentrated essential oils.
 
So even if you’ve heard that lavender repels bees and wasps, that claim doesn’t hold up when you look at how these insects actually behave around the plant.
 

What Lavender Actually Repels

While lavender doesn’t repel bees and wasps, it does repel certain other pests, which is where the confusion likely started.
 

1. Mosquitoes

Lavender is known to repel mosquitoes to some degree.
 
The scent masks the chemical cues mosquitoes use to find humans.
 
That’s why you’ll see lavender planted near patios and outdoor seating areas.
 

2. Moths and Fleas

Dried lavender sachets are a classic remedy for keeping moths out of closets.
 
And lavender oil can help repel fleas from pets and homes.
 
So when people ask does lavender repel bees and wasps, they might be mixing it up with lavender’s effectiveness against these other pests.
 

3. Ants and Spiders

Some gardeners use lavender as a natural barrier against ants and spiders.
 
Again, this has nothing to do with bees or wasps, but it adds to the plant’s reputation as a pest repellent.
 

What to Plant Instead If You Want to Repel Bees and Wasps

If your goal is actually to repel bees and wasps from a certain area, here are some plants that work better than lavender.
 

1. Marigolds

Marigolds produce a strong scent that many insects, including some bees and wasps, find unpleasant.
 
They’re a popular companion plant for this reason.
 

2. Citronella

Citronella is famous for repelling mosquitoes, but it can also discourage bees and wasps from lingering nearby.
 
The strong citrus scent overwhelms their senses.
 

3. Wormwood

Wormwood contains compounds that are toxic to many insects and acts as a natural repellent.
 
It’s not the prettiest plant, but it gets the job done.
 

4. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has a strong, medicinal scent that bees and wasps tend to avoid.
 
You can grow it in warm climates or use the oil in outdoor areas.
 

So, Does Lavender Repel Bees and Wasps?

Lavender does not repel bees and wasps.
 
It attracts them.
 
If you’ve been planting lavender hoping to keep bees and wasps away, you’ve been inadvertently inviting them in.
 
That said, lavender is still a wonderful plant for your garden if you want to support pollinators.
 
Just don’t expect it to do double duty as a bee and wasp repellent.
 
If repelling bees and wasps is your priority, choose plants like marigolds, citronella, wormwood, or eucalyptus instead.
 
And if you love lavender for its beauty and fragrance, go ahead and plant it—just know that the bees and wasps will thank you for it.