Yes, to an extent, some fragrances genuinely do attract certain insects, particularly bees and wasps, when they contain sweet, floral or fruity notes that mimic the smells insects are naturally drawn to.

Which notes are more likely to draw them in

Bees and wasps are hardwired to seek out floral and sweet fruity smells because that’s how they find food, so a perfume heavy on jasmine, rose, or ripe fruit notes can genuinely register to them as something worth investigating outdoors, particularly in summer. Woody, smoky or very musky fragrances, oud and amber among them, don’t carry the same floral-sweet signal and tend not to draw the same attention.

Practical takeaway if it bothers you

If you’re regularly outdoors in summer and find yourself pestered by bees, switching to a woody, musky or oud-forward scent for those occasions, rather than your usual sweet floral, can genuinely make a difference. It’s a minor consideration for most people most of the time, but it’s not an old wives’ tale, there’s real biology behind it. Our perfume myths guide and seasonal fragrance guide both touch on this, alongside the complete guide to perfume.