Honeybees have remarkable eyesight that has been a source of fascination for scientists. They see various colors, which are beneficial to them since they feed on pollen and nectar from flowers. To attract bees, flowers have brilliant colors. The mutual relationship between bee and flowers ensure they get nectar and pollen while flowers get pollinated. Amazingly, they can perceive ultraviolet color that humans cannot see. This makes it easier for them to find nectar. They can also see patterns in flowers that we cannot see. 

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Like humans, they are trichromatic, meaning they base their color combinations on three colors( blue, green, and ultraviolet colors). Humans base their color combinations on red, blue, and green. Bee’s color vision is also five times faster than humans. They can distinguish flowers while flying at a high rate of speed. They are also able to detect polarized light and use it as a navigation system. Again, they can distinguish light and dark and see edges efficiently. 

What color bees cannot recognize?

Bees cannot see the color red since they don’t have a photoreceptor for it. Their photoreceptors do not pick the red color. Red appears dark to the bees. They treat red color the same way they treat black. A person wearing red appear as a vast dark object to the bees which may make them defensive. Choosing plants in your garden will discourage the bees from visiting and pollinating them.  

Do bees visit red flowers?

While bees do not see the red color, they can see ultraviolet markings in flowers. These markings act as landing guides that lead bees into nectar and pollen. That way, you can see them on red flowers. They pollinate red flowers that contain a sheen in the ultraviolet light spectrum. Some red flowers attract honey bees and other pollinators by using this strategy. They can also visit red flowers based on their fragrance.  For instance, they buzz around the bottle and brush red flowers due to their attractive scent. Its structure also allows the bees to climb in and out quickly.  Most red flowers are however pollinated by birds. 

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Are there colors that repel bees?

While there are no colors that actively repel honey bees or keep them away, they are some that least attract them. They don’t have any interest in them or get defensive about them. These are pale colors, including white and light pastel colors, pale pink, and light yellow. They do not stand out in a bee vision and are not a signal for potential danger. That is why beekeepers wear white colors while attending to bees. These are the colors to wear when you want a neutral response from honey bees, on top of avoiding floral scents. They, however, associate dark colors (brown, black, and red) with danger and will rise to defend their colony once you approach them with such. Such are associated with their arch enemies, such as bears, raccoons, and skunks. They trigger defensive reactions in bees.