Peppermint oil is an effective natural way to deter bees from settling around your home or garden. The strong aroma of peppermint confuses bees and disrupts their ability to smell food sources. With just a few simple ingredients you can make an easy DIY peppermint spray to humanely keep bees away.
Why Peppermint Repels Bees
Bees have an excellent sense of smell which they rely on to locate flowering plants for nectar and pollen Peppermint’s potent aroma overstimulates bees’ scent receptors, making it difficult for them to pick up on other smells The menthol in peppermint oil is particularly bothersome.
Research shows bees avoid areas treated with peppermint oil. Studies found honey bees would not enter hives sprayed with peppermint and had trouble recognizing their own hives. The disruption to bees’ smell makes peppermint an ideal natural bee repellent.
Benefits of Using Peppermint Spray
There are several advantages to using peppermint spray as a bee deterrent:
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All-natural and non-toxic: Peppermint oil does not harm bees or the environment when used properly.
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Safe for gardens: Peppermint will not affect your plants or soil. Be cautious spraying directly on flowers.
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Pleasant scent for humans: The minty aroma is enjoyable for people around treated areas.
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Effective repellent: Peppermint oil strongly deters bees from settling when sprayed.
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Low cost: Making your own peppermint spray is very affordable.
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Easy application: You can conveniently spray around doors, walls, fences, outdoor furniture, etc.
How to Make Peppermint Spray
Follow these simple steps to create an easy homemade peppermint spray to repel bees:
Ingredients:
- Spray bottle, 20-32 oz.
- Distilled white vinegar
- Peppermint essential oil
- Liquid castile soap (optional)
Directions:
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Fill spray bottle with 1 cup distilled white vinegar and 1 cup water.
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Add 15-25 drops peppermint essential oil, depending on bottle size.
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Optionally, add 1-2 tsp liquid castile soap. This helps the spray stick to surfaces longer.
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Close spray bottle and shake vigorously to mix ingredients.
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To use, generously spray areas where bees are spotted. Reapply every few days or after rain.
Tips:
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Use 100% pure peppermint oil for best results.
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Start with 15 drops oil; increase if more strength needed.
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Spray in the morning or evening when bees are less active.
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Focus on spraying entry points like cracks and holes.
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Avoid spraying directly on bee hives and flowers.
When to Use Peppermint Spray
The best times to use peppermint spray are:
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Early spring when bees first become active. Use as a preventative.
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Areas where bees frequently congregate like around trash bins.
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On surfaces where bees attempt to build hives like sheds or decks.
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Around entry points to discourage bees from entering a structure.
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On fences, trees, and vegetation to block bees from going into yards.
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Outside pet areas and patios where stinging insects pose a risk.
Risks and Precautions
When using peppermint oil spray, keep these precautions in mind:
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Do not spray bees directly as the oil can be harmful in concentrated amounts.
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Monitor plants for damage if sprayed. Some flowers/crops may be sensitive.
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Use care around ponds, streams, and bees gathering water.
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Avoid inhaling spray; peppermint oil can irritate airways.
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Monitor children and pets in treated areas. Oil may irritate skin/eyes.
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Test in an inconspicuous spot first to check if surfaces stain.
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Start with lower oil amounts and increase gradually as needed.
Homemade peppermint spray offers a simple, natural solution to deter nuisance bees. The strong scent of peppermint oil confuses bees and makes areas unappealing for them to inhabit. With minimal effort and cost, you can whip up an effective bee repellent spray using items you likely have at home. Just remember to use proper caution when applying, and your garden can be free of unwelcome bees.
Look at Your Surroundings
If swarms of bees or wasps are always show up at your backyard barbecues, you might want to look at your landscaping. If your flowers and plants have sweet smells that bees like, you might want to change where and what you plant in your yard.
I was thrilled to speak with beekeeping experts Juli and Bob Morlock from Morlock Honey Farms in North Dakota. During almond pollination season, their honey bees travel to the Central Valley to pollinate almonds. They (the bees and the Morlocks) winter in Texas and then head back to North Dakota to spin out their honey. They help to make that state the number-one honey-producing state in the nation. In 2014, North Dakota bees produced more than 42 million pounds of honey, valued at over $84 million, according to the North Dakota State Government.
Juli gave them a professional tip that keeps bees, yellow jackets, and wasps away from their outdoor dining. First, she wanted to make it clear that bees and other pollinators usually don’t come to food that people eat until the flowering season of their favorite food source is over, which is usually in the fall. She says to put ketchup on a plate close enough to your event so that pollinators will be drawn to it. The ketchup, which is mostly corn syrup, makes it easy for them to eat and takes their attention away from your food.
But First, a Little About Bees
Pollinators, like bees, are essential to our very existence. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), “cross-pollination helps at least 30% of the world’s crops and 90% of our wild plants to thrive. Without bees to spread seeds, many plants — including food crops — would die off.”
Since I live in California’s Central Valley, I think we know more than most about how important bees are for pollination. Every year, California almond growers import honey bees from other states to pollinate their $2. 3-billion-a-year crop.
Does peppermint oil deter bees?
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