Myth.

Not only won't it repel honeybees, I have serious doubts about it's ability to repel wasps.  Just today, I knocked down two wasps nest within 5 feet of my wife's herb garden which includes a large and very fragrant patch of peppermint and another of lemon balm.

Bumblebees love the mint when it flowers.  I've only rarely seen honeybees on the mint but they don't fly around the patch either.

I can endorse the use of mint in a smoker, though.  I first used it a year ago almost by accident.  I'd just cut the grass and had nothing else handy to trap the sparks.  The smoke seemed sweeter than normal and the bees were much easier to work with.  I don't know if the mint had a direct impact on the bees or if the better smell made me calmer and therefore a marginally better beekeeper.  But everytime since I find that I'm happier when I use mint in the top of the smoker.


Mike Rossander

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