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Those pesky bees! They like to come out of hiding in the early spring, so it’s likely that they’re already out and about now that it’s summer. You may already be struggling to keep these cute little bumbling things out of your garden or home. If so, read on for some safe and humane ideas.
Look around before calling a pest control service. You might be able to fix the problem yourself. You might be able to save time and money by doing it yourself, but the best pest control companies also know safe ways to get rid of or move bees.
But how do you get rid of bees in a moral way? If you don’t have a friend who keeps bees, then why are you reading this? Before you call a pest control company, try these simple, quick ways to get rid of bees at home.
Bees play an important role in pollinating plants and flowers, but if you have an allergy or simply don’t want them buzzing around your home, there are several effective ways to deter them without harming them. Here are 13 natural methods to keep bees away from your house.
Why Bees Come Around Your House
Bees are attracted to flowers and blooming plants because they collect pollen and nectar from them. They also look for areas with ample water sources. Certain features around your home may attract them:
- Flower gardens
- Vegetable gardens
- Birdbaths
- Fountains
- Ponds
- Fruit trees
- Compost piles
- Woodpiles
- Hollow logs
- Sheds
- Barns
- Attics
- Crawl spaces
If these features are prevalent around your house bees may frequently visit your property.
Dangers of Bees Around Your Home
While bees play an important ecological role. they can pose dangers
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Allergic reactions: Bee stings can trigger severe allergic reactions in some people that can be life-threatening.
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Aggressive behavior: Africanized honey bees exhibit more aggressive behavior than European honey bees and aggressively defend their hives.
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Nest infestation: If bees nest in walls or attics, removal can be difficult, costly, and disruptive.
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Kids and pets: Children and pets may accidentally disturb hives and get stung.
So it’s understandable to want to deter bees from areas around your house where people and pets frequent.
13 Natural Ways to Keep Bees Away
Here are some simple, non-toxic methods to discourage bees from hanging around your house:
1. Remove food sources
Eliminate anything that attracts bees to your yard:
- Deadhead flowers after blooming.
- Clean up fallen fruit from trees.
- Keep compost bins away from high traffic areas.
- Clean birdbaths and fountains regularly to prevent algae buildup.
- Store nectar-rich plants like roses and clovers away from decks and play areas.
2. Use essential oils
Bees dislike the strong scent of certain essential oils including peppermint, lemongrass, citronella, and eucalyptus.
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Mix 5-10 drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle and apply around doors, windows, and high traffic areas. The scent drives bees away.
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Place cotton balls soaked with essential oils around decks and patios.
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Grow plants like peppermint and citronella near beehives or nests.
3. Plant bee-repelling flowers
Some flowers’ scents deter bees. Plant these around areas you want to keep bee-free:
- Marigolds
- Lavender
- Geraniums
- Wormwood
- Mint
4. Use fake nests
Hang fake paper wasp nests around your property. Bees will avoid areas near perceived competitors’ nests.
5. Apply vinegar
White vinegar’s scent repels bees.
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Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray around door and window frames.
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Soak cotton balls in vinegar and place around flower beds.
Reapply frequently as the scent fades.
6. Try ultrasonic repellers
Ultrasonic devices emit high frequency soundwaves that drive bees away. Place these plugins near problem areas.
7. Apply hairspray
The aerosol in hairspray irritates bees. Spray a light mist around door and window frames. Reapply after rain.
8. Use dark colors
Bees are less attracted to darker colors.
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Paint shutters, doors, and trims with darker neutral colors like brown, maroon, or navy.
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Avoid black, yellow, or other bright colors that attract bees.
9. Cover food
At picnics and backyard barbecues, keep food covered until serving time so it doesn’t attract bees.
10. Install screens
Install fine mesh screens on windows and vents to prevent bees from infiltrating your home.
11. Seal cracks and crevices
Seal any openings larger than 1/8 inch around your home’s foundation, windows, doors, and siding. This deters bees from entering and nesting. Use caulk, expandable foam, cement, or wood putty.
12. Remove hives carefully
If you find a hive located away from high traffic areas, consider leaving it alone. If you must remove it, contact a professional to avoid getting stung. They use protective gear to safely remove the hive.
13. Set out bait hives
Beekeepers use “bait hives” – empty bee boxes designed to lure swarms away from settling around a home. The bees relocate to the bait hive where a beekeeper can safely retrieve them.
Be Bee-Friendly
Whenever possible, it’s best to find ways to safely coexist with bees rather than eliminate them completely. Protect pollinators by avoiding potent pesticides and provide bee-friendly plants around your landscape. With a few deterrents around key areas, you can keep bees away from your house and avoid getting stung.
Household solutions to shooing away bees for good
If you want to get rid of bees quickly and easily, you probably already have vinegar in your home. Bees hate vinegar, so it can be used instead of store-bought or professional-grade chemical repellents. For a quick way to keep bees away, fill an empty spray bottle with a homemade vinegar solution made of equal parts water and vinegar. Spray this in areas where you frequently see the flying insects to keep them away.
Vinegar isnt the only substance that bees dislike. Bees will stay away from things like basil oil, citronella oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon, and lime. You can apply these oils like a topical to keep bees away while outside.
A few more easy bee deterrents include peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus, and thyme. That’s why bees don’t like these strong scents. If you have an extra empty spray bottle, mix one of these herbs with water or essential oils to make another useful bee-getting spray.
Start by getting to the root of the bee problem
How can you tell the difference between bees and other flying bugs? If you can see one of the bugs that is living in your home, look for certain things. Wasps and hornets are typically narrow-waisted and hair-free, while bees are more plump and fuzzy. Wasps are also brighter in color, with clear yellow bands around their bellies, while bees may be a duller brown or yellowish color. Both hornets and yellow jackets are usually bigger, brighter and more aggressive than bees.
Your next job is to find the source of the problem. If you see a lot of bees, there may be a nest nearby. Look in dark, safe places like tree hollows, under porches, or under eaves. If you don’t find a nest, that’s great! One less thing to worry about. Keep reading for ways to keep bees from coming to your house or yard when it’s warm outside.
If you do find a nest, remember to keep a safe distance so as not to rile the insects and risk getting stung. Keep pets and small children clear of the nest. Then consider finding a local beekeeper to come and safely relocate the nest. Bee Culture has a nifty search tool for finding beekeepers across the US, but many states also have an online directory you can check, such as the New York State Beekeeper Club Directory.
Remember, bees are an important part of our ecosystem, so safe removal options should be your top priority.
How to keep bees, wasps away from your home
FAQ
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