Bumble bees are important pollinators that play a vital role in our ecosystem However, having a bumble bee nest on your property can be a nuisance and potentially dangerous if someone is allergic Instead of using harsh chemicals, there are several natural, safe methods to humanely remove bumble bees.
Non-Lethal Ways to Deter Bumble Bees
Remove Debris and Block Nest Entrances
Bumble bees prefer to build nests in cavities filled with soft materials like leaves, grass, twigs, etc Clearing away debris around your property eliminates nesting spots You can also block the entrance holes to existing nests with soil, wood putty, caulk, or steel wool. This makes it difficult for the bees to access their hives.
Redirect Nest Entrances
Insert a 1-2 inch plastic tubing into the nest entrance and route the other end away from high traffic areas. Bumble bees will follow the new pathway. Place unique objects like potted plants or pebbles around the tube’s exit so bees identify it as the updated entry point.
Flood Bee Nests
Soak the ground using sprinklers or a garden hose to flood underground nests. The waterlogged environment will force bees to flee and establish new colonies elsewhere. Repeat flooding every few days until they vacate the area completely.
Remove Infested Birdhouses
Seal birdhouses containing bees nests with a sponge in the evening when all bees are inside Take down the bird boxes and relocate at least 1/2 mile away Return the next day to remove the sponges so bees can fly out and not get trapped.
Use Strong Smells
Bumble bees dislike pungent odors from things like vinegar, citrus, and mint. You can make DIY spritz by combining water with either vinegar, citrus juice/peels, or a few drops of dish soap, peppermint, cinnamon, and clove oils. Spray these mixtures directly onto hives and at entry points at night. The smells irritate bees and repel them.
Install Bee Blockers
Attach lightweight netting, window screen, or mesh over areas where bees are getting inside or constructing hives. The material acts as a physical barrier while still permitting air circulation. Be sure to seal edges with caulk or staples so bees cannot sneak through gaps.
Natural Bee Sprays and Repellents
Soapy Water
Mix 1/4 cup liquid soap with 1 gallon of water. Use laundry detergent or dish soap. The soap damages the outer waxy coating on bees and dehydrates them. Spray this directly onto hives at night to kill bees. Reapply every few days until they abandon the nest.
Vinegar
Fill a spray bottle with a 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water. White, apple cider, or other vinegars work. The strong acetic acid smell repels bees. Spray vinegary water near hive openings in the evening when bees are in the nest.
Lemon and Orange Solutions
Simmer citrus peels and juice over medium heat for 10 minutes to extract oils. Let the mixture cool then strain into a spray bottle. The powerful citrusy aroma drives away bees. Reapply daily until bees leave.
Essential Oils
Mix water, a few drops of liquid soap along with several drops each of clove, peppermint, and cinnamon or orange essential oils in a spray bottle. The potent fragrance of these oils irritate bees and make them avoid the area.
Call a Professional Beekeeper for Removal
If you are unable to remove bumble bees yourself, contact a licensed beekeeper to extract and safely relocate the colony. Unlike exterminators who often kill bees, beekeepers humanely trap bees and transfer them to managed bee boxes or farms. However, bee removal can be costly depending on nest size and location.
Avoid Eliminating Endangered Bee Species
Exercising caution is important since some bumble bees are endangered. Verify you do not have rusty-patched bumble bees which can be identified by a reddish patch on their backs. They are protected under the Endangered Species Act, so it is illegal to remove or disturb their nests without a permit. When in doubt, assume bumble bees are of a protected species.
Tips for Staying Safe
- Conduct bee removal at night when most bees are in their nests to avoid stings.
- Wear protective clothing like thick gloves, long sleeve shirts and pants when managing hives.
- Move slowly and avoid swatting at bees which further agitates them. Remain calm and quietly leave the area if bees start swarming.
- If you have bee allergies, ask someone else to handle removal and keep an epinephrine auto-injector on hand.
- Monitor nests and bee activity for a few weeks after they vacate to ensure they do not return.
Bumble bees are extremely beneficial for our environment but can be a nuisance if nesting on your property. With some patience and the use of benign natural repellents, you can deter bees and make an area less hospitable to them. Avoid damaging solutions like poisons that could wipe out local bee populations. With the proper safety precautions, you can find an effective and ecologically friendly remedy for your bumble bee problem.
Soak the ground with water.
- {“smallUrl”:”https://www. wikihow. com/s/thumb/b/b3/Get-Rid-of-Bumble-Bees-Step-8. jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Bumble-Bees-Step-8. jpg”,”bigUrl”:”/s/thumb/b/b3/Get-Rid-of-Bumble-Bees-Step-8. jpg/aid12772216-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Bumble-Bees-Step-8. jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this under U. S. and international copyright laws. This text and some other things on the wikiHow website are licensed under the Creative Commons license, but this is not. Other groups are not allowed to use this without wikiHow, Inc.’s written permission. “Let the orange juice and zest simmer with water for 10 minutes.” Put water into a small pot and add the juice and peel of one or two oranges or lemons. Then, cook the mix slowly over medium-low heat for 10 minutes to get the fruit’s oil out. The citrus repellent needs to cool down completely before you can put it in a spray bottle and use it to spray the bees’ nest. Since they dislike the strong smell, theyll leave the area. [11] Don’t spray until the bumble bees are back in their nests in the evening. When you do this, wear clothes that will protect you from getting stung. Repeat this every day until the bees move on.
Mix a repellent with soap and essential oils for a fragrant deterrent.
- Steve Downs Live Bee Removal Specialist: Steve Downs is the owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc., a licensed bee removal and relocation business in the Los Angeles, California metro area. He is also a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist and Honey bee Preservationist. Steve has more than 20 years of experience capturing and removing bees in a humane way from both businesses and homes. Steve works with beekeepers, farmers, and bee hobbyists to set up beehives all over the Los Angeles area and fights for bees’ survival. He really wants to protect honeybees, so he made his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued beehives are moved and kept safe. Steve Downs Live Bee Removal Specialist Answer: The most important thing is not to worry. As quickly as you can, get away from the hive. The bees will usually go back to the hive once they can see the threat (you) far enough away. Do your best not to swat them or squash them on your skin or body, as this will make the bees that are already there defend themselves even more.
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- Set up a rope or fence around the area to keep people from getting too close to the bumble bees’ work if you decide to let them stay in their nests until they die, which should only take a few months. [17] Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2 .
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- Never pour gasoline or bleach into the bumble bees nests. Its a flammable hazard that also poisons your soil. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1 .
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How to get rid of bumble bees
FAQ
What is the best repellent for bumblebees?
Why are there so many bumble bees around my house?
How to get rid of bumblebee naturally?
What is the quickest way to get rid of bees?
How do you get rid of bumble bees without killing them?
To get rid of bumble bees without killing them is using cinnamon. All you need to do is sprinkle ground cinnamon around the bumblebee nest at night for a couple of weeks, and they take the hint and decide to move on. Like many other insects such as wasps and carpenter bees, Bees don’t like the smell of garlic.
How do I remove a bee stinger?
Using a piece of gauze, your fingernail, or another instrument, you may scrape across the stinger to dislodge it from your skin. It is also possible to remove the stinger using tweezers or your fingernail. Acting soon is crucial.
How do you get rid of bumble bees at night?
Combine 14 cup (59 ml) of liquid soap with 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water. You can use liquid laundry detergent or liquid dish soap. Just stir it into the water until it’s dissolved and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the bees’ nesting area at night when they’re more likely to be there. The soap will kill the bumble bees by dehydrating them.
Should I get rid of bumblebees?
Since bumblebees are docile and keep to themselves, there is no immediate reason for most people to get rid of bumblebees and their nests. People who are severely allergic and must remove them can call an experienced beekeeper or remover to relocate the nest.
How to keep bumble bees away?
The easiest way to use this method is to combine clove essential oil and a cotton ball. All you have to do is soak the cotton balls in the essential oil. Then, you can place the soaked cotton balls around your house to keep bumble bees at bay. To avoid getting any surfaces soaked from the wet cotton ball, place them on a dish rather than directly.
How do I get rid of bees in my house?
In the place of cinnamon essential oil, you can use ⅛ teaspoon of ground cinnamon although the oil is preferred. Add these ingredients to water and two teaspoons of liquid dish soap. Put the whole combination in a spray bottle. Once you have your mixture ready, spray it where bees typically hang out in your home.