It’s summer in the South. The days are sunny and hot. Flowers and trees are in full bloom. Picnics and barbecues are on the calendar. Some people don’t know this, but all of these things are also appealing to wasps and bees. Want to keep bees and wasps away without using a bug spray that makes you sick? Keep reading to learn three natural ways to keep bees and wasps away.
Keeping Bees and Wasps Away from Your Home Naturally
Nothing ruins a relaxing afternoon on your patio quite like the buzz of unwelcome bees and wasps While a couple insects here and there may go unnoticed, large infestations of stinging pests around your home can create unsafe conditions for your family So how do you gently encourage these uninvited guests to buzz off without harming beneficial pollinators? Follow these tips to keep bees and wasps away from your house using natural methods.
Start with Prevention
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to deterring bees and wasps Here are some proactive steps you can take
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Seal cracks, crevices and holes where insects can enter the house. Pay special attention around windows and doors, siding, attic vents and anywhere wires or pipes penetrate the walls. Caulk, expandable foam and steel wool make good fillers.
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Install fine mesh screens on all doors and windows to keep insects out while allowing airflow.
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Keep the yard free of clutter like stacks of firewood, debris and excess vegetation that provide shelter for nests.
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Promptly clean up fallen fruit from trees that can attract bees and wasps.
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Position trash and recycling bins away from high traffic areas. Keep lids tightly sealed.
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Avoid wearing strong perfumes or scented lotions that contain floral, fruit or sugar scents outdoors.
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Cover food and beverages consumed outside. Do not leave sugary drinks unattended.
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Consider replacing outdoor lighting with less attractive yellow bulbs.
By denying access, removing food sources and making the area less enticing, you can discourage bees and wasps from frequenting your home.
Use Natural Repellents
Certain plants, herbs and oils have scents that deter bees and wasps in a safe, natural way:
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Grow herbs like basil, lavender, mint and thyme around outdoor living areas.
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Place pots of lemon balm, catnip or wormwood near problem spots.
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Crush fresh cloves, bay leaves or cinnamon sticks and scatter around yards and gardens.
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Use essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus and tea tree oil to make natural repellent sprays.
One highly effective solution is mixing 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil into a spray bottle filled with water. The strong minty aroma masks scents that attract bees and wasps. Spritz this solution around door and window frames, eaves, patios, decks, picnic tables, and anywhere you want to discourage the insects. Reapply after rain.
You can also combine clove, geranium and lemongrass essential oils in a spray bottle for an insect repelling concoction. This blend was proven to deter wasps in particular, according to a study in the Journal of Pest Management Science. For best results, spray along common nesting sites like roof gables and overhangs.
Trap Them Humanely
Trapping bees and wasps is an eco-friendly way to reduce their numbers without insecticides. DIY traps are quick, cheap and effective:
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Make a soda bottle trap by cutting the top third off a 2-liter bottle. Invert the top to form a funnel and add bait like sugar water, jam or fruit juice inside. Wasps and bees will enter but struggle to find their way out.
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Blow up a brown paper lunch bag about halfway and add a few tablespoons of sugary liquid bait inside. Seal the bag with a rubber band and hang it. Insects will fly in but drown in the bait.
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Fill a shallow pan with soapy water and place it near problem areas. Attracted insects will get stuck in the soapy solution.
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Purchase ready-made traps from garden centers, hardware stores or online. Reusable trap styles and disposable paper traps are available.
For best results, set out traps starting in early spring to catch emerging queens before they can start new nests. Monitor traps regularly to prevent them from overflowing. Release beneficial pollinators safely if caught and freeze the traps occasionally to kill developing insect larvae.
Remove Nest Safely
If you spot a bee or wasp nest around your home, resist the urge to attack it. Disturbing the nest will aggravate the insects and prompt aggressive stinging. Safely remove nests at night when all the insects are present but inactive. Spray nests thoroughly with soap and water or a pesticide like Hot Shot Wasp and Hornet Killer beforehand. Wear protective clothing to avoid stings. After a day, check for activity. If insects remain inside, apply pesticide again and wait. Once the nest appears empty, seal it in a plastic bag and discard carefully. Consider contacting a professional pest control company to remove large hives located high up or inside wall voids.
Coexist Peacefully
Except for truly problematic nests near high traffic areas, bees and wasps do not always require eradication and can be left alone. Their benefits far outweigh a minor nuisance. Wasps are predators that feast on garden pests. Bees are extremely important pollinators of plants, trees and crops. With some strategic tweaks to make your landscape less hospitable, plus using gentle natural deterrents, bees and wasps will learn to steer clear of your outdoor living space while still providing ecological benefits. Pay attention to signs like intense buzzing around feet and garbage cans, stinging incidents and nests spotted near entryways, then take appropriate action. Otherwise, let these misunderstood insects be and enjoy your yard safely.
Bees and Wasps are Attracted to Food
Humans aren’t the only species to enjoy our picnics, barbecues and outdoor meals in the summer. Stinging insects are also attracted to our food and drinks. To reduce the chance of uninvited stinging guests crashing your cookout, follow these tips:
- As much as possible, don’t leave food out. Clean up as soon as you’re done eating.
- Make sure the trash can lid is closed when you throw away food or trash related to food.
- Wasps are drawn to sweet drinks, so cover or close your soda or lemonade.
As is the case with plants, there are some food items that repel stinging insects, including:
- Bay Leaves
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Cayenne Pepper
- Garlic
- Sliced Cucumber
- Vinegar
You can use these grocery items as all-natural bee and wasp repellents. Slice up some garlic or cucumber and leave it on a plate on your patio. Pour some vinegar in a jug and place it near a hammock. Place a line of some cinnamon sticks along your deck railing, etc.
Plants That Attract Bees and Wasps
Bees and wasps are pollinators, so they like flowering plants. However, there are some flowers they’re particularly drawn to, including:
- Black-eyed Susan
- Honeysuckle
- Lantana
- Lilacs
- Perennial Yarrow
- Poppies
- Pale Purple Coneflower
- Sweet Fennel
- Wisteria
- Queen Anne’s Lace
- Sedum
- Snapdragon
- Sunflowers
If any of these flowers are growing near your house, especially near a deck, porch, patio, or other outdoor area, you might want to move them if you can. Also, learning more about where wasps like to nest can help you plan your garden so that it doesn’t attract wasps. See our guide on where wasps nest for more information on common places for them to lay their eggs and how to keep them under control.
Keep Wasps Away With These 3 Easy Tips! [Wasp Prevention]
FAQ
What smell keeps bees and wasps away?
How to deter bees and wasps from a house?
What scent do wasps hate?
Do dryer sheets keep bees and wasps away?
How do you keep bees away from your home?
Keep bees away from your home by keeping your flower or vegetable garden several yards or meters away from your home. While gardening is a fun hobby, try to conduct it a safe distance away from your house. If you have any potted plants, move them so they’re not directly next to your door or any other point of entry.
How do I get rid of wasps in my house?
Research published in the Journal of Pest Management Science found that a combination of clove, geranium and lemongrass essential oil successfully repelled wasps, and peppermint oil alone may also be effective. You can tackle small hanging nests with a mixture of two tablespoons of dish soap in a spray bottle filled with water.
How do I get rid of bees and wasps in my hives?
Spraying the areas around the hives as well as plants, flowers, and bushes that attract them most with this spray is a great way to keep bees and wasps away. What to do: Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. It is best to spray at night when bees are dormant in order to avoid agitating them.
How do you get rid of a wasp nest?
Mix a few drops of one of the oils, two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, and two cups of water in a spray bottle. This solution can be sprayed on visible nests or places you have seen nests in the past to discourage wasps from returning. Wasp in the House? Be calm and move slowly. Try opening a door or window and hope the wasp flies out.
How do you keep bees from stinging your plants?
You can spray it on your plants to deter the stinging insects, but make sure to dilute it with water. Add clove oil and water to a plastic spray bottle and give the bottle a shake. It will leave a subtle scent on your plants that deters bees and wasps but also keeps your plants safe.
How do you keep wasps away from leaves?
If you want to keep most of your leaf litter, try relocating them to other areas. “If there is a bunch of fallen leaves and piles of leaves, this gives wasps just one more place to make a home,” Selbach says. Wasps hate the smell of peppermint oil, making it a great natural deterrent against wasps. keep them away,” Clarke says.