Effective Ways to Get Rid of Bees at Home Depot

Bees can be a nuisance when they decide to build hives and nests around your home. While bees play an important role in pollinating plants and flowers having them nest too close can pose safety concerns. Home Depot offers a variety of bee and wasp control products to help tackle bee problems humanely and effectively.

Why Bees May Nest Near Your Home

There are a few reasons bees may choose to build hives or nests on or near your property:

• Flowers and vegetation: Bees need pollen and nectar from flowers to survive. If your yard has an abundance of flowering plants, trees, and bushes, it can attract nearby bees.

• Water sources: Bees need water to cool their hives and make honey. Fountains, birdbaths, pools, and other outdoor water sources draw bees in.

• Small cracks and holes: Bees will nest in any small gap they can find, including openings in walls, under eaves, around chimneys, and inside overturned flower pots or empty cans.

• Lack of competition: If your neighborhood has limited bee or wasp nests already, it’s prime real estate for new ones.

• Calm setting: Bees prefer to nest in areas away from high traffic or noise. The quieter your yard, the more appealing it is.

Dangers of Bee Nests on Your Property

While not aggressive by nature, bees will sting to protect their hives if disturbed. Having bee nests too close to your home’s activity areas can pose safety issues:

• Bee stings can cause mild to severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

• Larger nests with more bees have a higher chance of multiple stinging incidents.

• Nesting bees may scare away guests or prevent use of yards patios and porches.

• Bee noises and activity can be a nuisance.

• Nest removal becomes more difficult the larger the nest grows. It’s best to act early.

Natural Bee Deterrents

For minor bee problems, there are some DIY methods you can try to discourage bees from settling around your home:

• Eliminate food sources: Get rid of flowering plants and fill in birdbaths or fountains bees are using. Without a food source nearby, bees will look elsewhere.

• Seal holes and cracks: Block off any small openings on your home’s exterior that bees can access. Caulk, screen, wood, cement or other materials can be used.

• Use strong scents: Bees dislike the smell of menthol, lemongrass oil, eucalyptus oil and other strongly scented products. Apply around areas where bees are trying to nest.

• Add movement: Wind chimes, pinwheels and other moving objects can deter bees who prefer a still nesting spot. Hang these around your yard.

• Make your yard uninviting: Let grass grow longer, trim back flowers and minimize water sources. A messy, chaotic yard is less attractive to bees.

Bee Sprays and Traps from Home Depot

If non-toxic DIY methods are not effective, Home Depot offers commercial bee sprays and traps as a safe solution. Popular options include:

Spectracide Wasp & Hornet Killer Spray

• Made specifically for wasps, hornets and bees.

• Sprays up to 27 feet to kill entire nests.

• Fast-acting formula.

• Can be used indoors and outdoors.

Hot Shot Wasp and Hornet Killer Spray

• Designed to kill wasps, hornets and yellow jackets on contact.

• Foaming action reaches nests up to 20 feet above ground.

• Starts working immediately.

• Use around home exteriors.

EcoSMART Organic Bee & Wasp Killer Spray

• Made with plant-based essential oils like peppermint oil.

• Kills and repels bees, wasps and hornets.

• Non-toxic and kid/pet safe once dry.

• Works without harmful chemicals.

RESCUE! Disposable Yellowjacket Trap

• Catches and kills yellowjackets.

• Lure attracts yellowjackets from all directions.

• Easy to hang up outdoors.

• Non-toxic and reusable until full.

Humane Bee Removal Services

For very large bee infestations, attempting removal yourself can be risky and ineffective. Home Depot partners with trusted bee removal pros to humanely and thoroughly clear out bee nests:

• Removal experts have proper protective gear, training and tools to work with bees safely.

• They can vacuum up bee swarms without harming the queen.

• Pros will seal nest entries shut so bees can’t return.

• Removed bee colonies can be rehomed at local farms or sanctuaries.

• Experts will identify if bees are Africanized or aggressive.

• They can access hard-to-reach nests on roofs, in trees or in wall voids.

Tips for Safe and Effective Bee Removal

If tackling bee issues on your own, keep these tips in mind for best results:

• Always work outdoors in an open area away from people.

• Wear protective clothing like a bee suit, gloves and goggles.

• Use targeted nest sprays after dark when bees are less active.

• Remove only smaller nests that are reachable from the ground.

• Avoid disturbing the hive to prevent mass swarming. Work slowly.

• Seal off nest entrances once bees are gone so they can’t return.

• Clean up all traces of hives so area seems undesirable to new bees.

• Call a pro if you have an allergy, are uncomfortable with ladders or heights or bees become aggressive.

With the right products and removal approach, you can get rid of nuisance bees humanely and reclaim your outdoor living space. Home Depot has effective DIY and professional solutions to make your home bee-free.