It’s hot outside, and all you want to do is cool off in the pool. Now imagine doing this with a swarm of wasps and bees accompanying you. That doesn’t sound like much fun, does it? These bugs can be a real pain and potentially very dangerous to your health. If someone in your family or group of friends is allergic to bees and wasps, getting stung can kill them.
Several things can help you stay away from stinging bugs so you can enjoy cannonballing off the diving board without any trouble:
How to Keep Bees and Wasps Away from Your Pool
Nothing ruins a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot summer day like bees and wasps buzzing around your head. Not only are they a nuisance, but they can also deliver painful stings, which can be dangerous for those with allergies. While your first instinct may be to kill them, bees and wasps are beneficial insects that play important roles in their ecosystems. Luckily, there are effective and eco-friendly ways to deter these uninvited guests from your pool area.
Start by Understanding What Attracts Them
Bees and wasps are drawn to pools because they provide a convenient water source. The chlorinated water also mimics the salts and minerals that bees and wasps look for. They may mistake the pool for a natural pond or lake. Your pool’s location, landscaping, and maintenance habits can also draw in bees and wasps. Pools surrounded by flower gardens or nestled near wooded areas are beacons for bees and wasps. Flowering plants release fragrant nectar, an irresistible temptation. Trees make ideal nesting spots. Pools that are not well-maintained and have a lot of debris or buildup of algae and minerals on surfaces are also bee and wasp magnets.
Plant Bee and Wasp Repelling Plants
One of the easiest ways to deter bees and wasps is to landscape the pool area with plants that naturally repel them Basil, geranium, mint, and citronella are excellent choices Their strong scents overwhelm bee and wasp senses, essentially camouflaging the pool. Lemongrass, thyme, and eucalyptus also give off aromas that bees and wasps find unappealing. If you want greenery around your pool, start with these powerful bee and wasp repelling plants. Focus on placing the plants around the pool perimeter to create a barrier. Potted plants are great too, as you can reposition them as needed.
Remove Nearby Nests
Check your property for bee and wasp nests, especially in trees, shrubs, and structures like eaves, attics, and sheds. Destroying nests and hives on or near your property can significantly reduce the number of bees and wasps around your pool. However, proceed with extreme caution Disturbing a nest will likely provoke an attack. Contact a professional pest control company to safely remove large nests For smaller nests, have a bee suit, protective clothing, gloves, goggles, and pesticides on hand. Spray insecticide directly into the nest opening at night when most bees and wasps are present but more sluggish. Repeat until there’s no activity. Remove and seal the nest in a bag once vacant.
Set Up Bee and Wasp Traps
Traps are an easy, non-toxic way to capture bees and wasps and remove them from your pool area. For bees, a shallow pan filled with sugar water, jam, or juice works well. Add sticks so the bees have an escape route. The sweet bait lures them in but they can eventually fly out. For wasps, hang traps filled with raw meat far away from the pool. The meat smell appeals to wasps but draws them away. Hang traps in shady spots and check them daily to dispose of contents before they rot. Funnel style traps are very effective for bees and wasps. The insects crawl in through the funnel top but cannot find their way out.
Add Deterrents Around Your Pool
There are several easy DIY deterrents you can place around your pool to discourage bees and wasps. Hang clear zip top bags filled with water around pool railings and fences. The refracted light confuses insects and they stay away. Affix fake wasp nests on pool walls or fences to deter real wasps from settling in. Dryer sheets and chewing gum repel bees with their strong unnatural scents. Place sheets and pieces of gum around deck railings and window sills. Coffee grounds, vinegar, ammonia, and cayenne pepper repel bees with their pungent odors. Scatter around flowerbeds and potential nesting spots. Reapply these DIY solutions frequently as their effects wear off quickly.
Adjust Your Pool Environment
Make your pool less welcoming to eliminate reasons for bees and wasps to visit. Keep the pool covered when not in use. Without access to the water, bees and wasps will move on. If they’ve already discovered your pool, draining it for a couple weeks will also break the pattern. Clean the pool regularly and maintain proper chlorine levels. Bees and wasps are less attracted to pools that have a treated odor and lack debris and algae for drinking. Stop feeding birds, squirrels, and other wildlife near the pool, as leftover food will appeal to bees and wasps. Lastly, install a fountain or birdbath with fresh water away from the pool to provide an alternative water source.
Take Precautions When Enjoying Your Pool
When bees and wasps persist despite your best efforts, take precautions so you can safely enjoy pool time. Check the pool first for any insects, especially around edges and in corners. Brush the water with a pool skimmer before getting in. Have family keep insect repellent sprays on hand. Apply liberally around exposed skin and reapply frequently. Avoid wearing perfumes or scented lotions. Cover food and drinks as best as possible. Stay calm and don’t swat at bees or wasps that approach. Remove stingers immediately with tweezers and treat stings with ice and antihistamines. If you see an influx of bees or wasps, get out of the pool and take shelter until they disperse. Stay vigilant, as preventing stings is key.
With some knowledge and effort, you can swim bee and wasp-free this summer. Always opt for the most eco-friendly solutions first before resorting to harmful pesticides. Your family, friends, and the environment will thank you. Relax poolside knowing you’ve created a safe and sting-free oasis.
Soap & Water Spray
An easy method of keeping bees away from your pool is dishwashing soap mixed with warm water. It’s possible to fill up a spray bottle and use it to kill the bees that are buzzing around the pool. Keep spraying for a few days until you don’t notice any more bees by your pool.
Keeping Bees Away
Add some plants around the pool that repel bees. Yes, it’s a real thing. Certain plants will repel bees, such as mint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass. Using lemongrass or mint can effectively repel the bees that are keeping you from your swimming pool. They hate the scent of mint and lemongrass, so if you plant them in pots and place them near your pool area, you’ll begin to notice their absence.
Because of their strong smell, bees can’t stand certain things, and dryer sheets are one of them. You can use this easy repellent method by placing dryer sheets around your swimming pool. Remember that the scent of the sheets will fade after a while. Try and replace them as often as you can until the bees flee.
Bees are attracted to water for the same reasons we are. They need a water source to keep themselves cool. Adding vinegar to your pool is a surefire way to repel bees. The taste will be too bitter for them, meaning they’ll fly to a new water source. This is only a short-term fix, though, because you still need to clean your pool water regularly with chemicals that you can get at Winnipeg pool stores.
How To Keep BEES and WASPS Away From Your POOL | Swim University
FAQ
What naturally keeps bees and wasps away?
Why do wasps hang around pools?
Why are there so many bees around my pool?
What do wasps hate the most?
How to keep bees and wasps out of your pool area?
Adding a new water source can help draw bees and wasps away from your pool area. This can be as simple as a bucket or bird fountain. The best time to do this is before opening your pool. Either way, using a new water source is an effective method to keep these insects away from your pool.
Should you keep bees away from a pool?
In fact, you can help and protect them instead because the pool itself is a danger to bees. They may land in it to drink water, but then become unable to fly out of the water, and end up drowning. So keeping bees away from the pool is for your safety and theirs. All living beings need water.
How do you keep bees from drowning in a pool?
Fill a bird bath with the pool water that attracts the bees. This will give the bees somewhere to land and safely drink (and hopefully deter them from drowning in your pool). A honeybee drinking from the edge of a bird bath. Bees land on a rock placed in a bird bath for them to safely drink from.
How do you remove a bee from a pool?
Use a cup, net or other scooping object to remove the bee or wasp from the water. You can dump it on the ground near the pool and walk away, or toss it in the landscaping if you want to make sure no one else comes across it. Whatever you do, do not touch the bee or wasp with your bare hands.
Why are bees & wasps attracted to my Pool?
As I mentioned, bees and wasps are mainly attracted to your pool because they are thirsty. So, if they can’t access the water, they can’t drink, so they will seek another water source! Bees and wasps are attracted to the delicious surgery smells of sodas, sweets, and other food.
How can I get rid of wasps from my swimming pool?
To get rid of wasps from your swimming pool, try putting the water source near their nest and using old pool water to attract them faster. To prevent them from hanging around in the future, keep your water as clean and odor-free as possible. A chemically balanced pool can help deter wasps and bees.