Spraying bees with water is a controversial technique Some argue it’s an effective, non-lethal way to manage bees, while others claim it’s ineffective or even counterproductive. This article will examine the practice of spraying bees with water, including pros, cons, techniques, and alternatives
Why Do People Spray Bees with Water?
There are a few scenarios where people choose to spray bees with a water mist
- Cooling overheated bees or bee swarms
- Reviving exhausted, dehydrated bees
- Discouraging bees from an area like a porch or patio
- Minimizing aggression in irritated bees
- Attempting to control bees or remove hives (not recommended)
The intent is usually to find a non-lethal way to manage bees without pesticides. However, experts disagree on whether this method is truly sustainable or humane.
Techniques for Spraying Bees with Water
If spraying bees with water is absolutely necessary, proper technique is crucial:
- Use a spray bottle on the lightest, finest mist setting. Avoid high-pressure streams.
- Mist bees indirectly by spraying adjacent surfaces, not directly on them.
- Spray areas bees are congregating, not individuals. Never spray an active hive.
- Do not soak bees or trap them in puddles. Allow them an escape route.
- Spray early morning or evening when most bees are in the hive to minimize contact.
- Wear protective clothing just in case, especially with a known Africanized bee presence.
The goal is to encourage bees to gradually disperse without provocation. Defensive behavior and stinging are risks if bees feel threatened.
Potential Pros of Spraying Bees with Water
Under specific circumstances, there are some potential benefits to water sprays:
- Non-lethal technique avoids killing bees.
- Temporary dispersion from an area when other options aren’t feasible.
- May calm aggressive bees in rare cases.
- Environmentally-friendly approach without toxins.
- Can revive overheated, dehydrated bees.
- Safer than attempting removal for non-professionals.
However, even proponents concede water sprays are very limited in effectiveness. The cons may outweigh the pros.
Potential Cons of Spraying Bees with Water
There are many arguments against spraying bees with water:
- It does not address the root cause of bee presence. Bees will likely return.
- Waterlogged bees struggle to fly and forage normally. It hampers their natural behaviors.
- Direct spraying risks angering bees and provoking stings.
- Effect is very temporary until bees dry off.
- Repeated spraying may harm bee health long-term.
- Wets wings causing inability to fly away, leaving them vulnerable.
- Reduces natural pollinating activities vital for the environment.
- May force bees to relocate nests/hives to other undesirable areas.
- Not a humane, sustainable solution for managing bees.
Many entomologists argue water spraying is ineffective and recommend against it in most cases.
Sustainable, Humane Alternatives
For effective, lasting bee management, experts propose these sustainable options instead:
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Identify and remove attractants – Eliminate tempting food sources, water sources, nesting sites. Make the area inhospitable.
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Wait it out – Many bee swarms are temporary as they relocate hives. They often move on in a few days without intervention.
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Use dedicated deterrents – Products like bee smoke or essential oils safely encourage bees to avoid spaces.
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Install physical barriers – Screens, mesh covers, or netting keeps bees away from doors, vents, eaves, etc.
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Schedule removal – If bees pose an ongoing problem, contact a professional beekeeper to safely relocate the colony.
With some creativity and patience, there are many alternatives to spraying bees with water that are healthier for both humans and bee populations.
Is Spraying Bees with Water Legal?
Laws regarding bees and insecticide use vary significantly based on location. Some key considerations:
- Applying any insecticide directly to a bee colony is illegal in many areas.
- Pesticide use regulations may restrict what products can be sprayed on or near bees.
- Local ordinances may prohibit drawing bees to a property or creating “attractive nuisances.”
- Health and safety codes may require professional removal if bees pose a hazard.
- Conservation efforts aim to protect vital pollinator species like bees.
When unsure, check municipal codes and contact local officials about bee control laws. Many advocate against spraying methods.
Bees play a vital role in ecosystems as pollinators, so humanely managing them is essential. While spraying bees with water may seem an easy fix, experts widely agree it is minimally effective and comes with risks. Sustainable solutions like removing attractants and securing professional removal will get better long-term results without endangering local bee populations. With some patience and the right techniques, bees and humans can safely coexist.
How to Calm Bees With Sugar Spray
When we get a new package of bees, we spray them with a solution of equal parts water and sugar. Spraying helps calm the bees and allows you to more easily maneuver them into the hive.
Because you want the bees to get used to their new home, you shouldn’t use a smoker on a new package. If they think there is a risk of “fire” (the smoke from the smoker), they may leave the new hive, and everything will be lost.
I was thinking about how we only use the sugar spray when setting up a new colony. Once the bees are settled in, we switch to the smoker. I began to wonder why we don’t use a sugar spray when we check the hives at other times of the year.
People with asthma or allergies who are sensitive to smoke might like a sugar spray. People who live in dry areas and are afraid of starting a fire might also like one.
I did some research and found that some people do use sugar spray as their main way to keep bees away, but there are some risks.
Don’t spray bees with water
FAQ
Can you spray water at bees?
What is the best thing to spray bees with?
Is it OK to give bees water?
Will bees come back after spraying?
Can You Spray soap water on bees?
When spraying soap water on the bees ensure you are properly covered as the bees do not die instantly and as such can still sting you before falling dead to the ground. A sugar and water spray on the bees will however do the opposite and calm the bees. Beekeepers use the sugar spray as an alternative to smoking bees when they carry out hive checks.
Can You Spray bees with sugar water?
After a bit of research, I discovered that people actually do use sugar spray as their primary bee calming solution, but there are some risks involved. When you spray bees with sugar water they begin cleaning themselves frantically.
Does spraying water on bees kill them?
However a soap water spray will dissolve the wax molecules and allow water to enter the insect’s body effectively drowning them. A vinegar spray which is a mixture of water and vinegar will also kill the bees as the vinegar suffocates them and renders them unable to fly. Spraying water on bees in itself will not kill them but only get them angry.
How to get rid of bees by drowning them?
However they still cannot breathe underwater and if a bee falls into water and is not rescued soon, the bee will drown. You can use water as an effective way of getting rid of bees by drowning them, as long as you are not spraying them and the bees are trapped in water, they will die.
Should you use a sugar spray for bee calming?
A sugar spray might be great for people who are sensitive to smoke, like those who have allergies or asthma, or people who live in dry climates and are worried about starting a fire. After a bit of research, I discovered that people actually do use sugar spray as their primary bee calming solution, but there are some risks involved.
Why do beekeepers use sugar spray?
Beekeepers use the sugar spray as an alternative to smoking bees when they carry out hive checks. Because bees like sugar, when they are sprayed with the sugar solution they immediately get busy cleaning themselves by licking off the sugar. The beekeeper then uses the period to carry out the hive check.