Nothing ruins the perfect picnic more than a swarm of pesky bees. If these little yellow fuzz balls have you saying buzz off, then you won’t want to miss this article. We’ve collected seven surefire tips to ensure you can enjoy the great outdoors without a bee menacingly hovering around. Keep reading to learn how to keep bees away from you!
1. Taking Flight: Avoiding an Unwelcome Buzz
Taking flight isn’t just a matter of restlessness or a desire to explore the world. It’s a must-do survival skill if you’re stuck in a rut or facing obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. Just like a butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, spreading its wings and flapping for the very first time, taking flight can be the spark that ignites a change in your life.
Exploring Your Options
Before you take off, it’s important to analyze your current situation and figure out which routes are open for exploration. Are there untapped potentials in your work that you can explore by speaking to a mentor or networking with like-minded individuals? Do you need to engage in upskilling to refine your craft and make you a more marketable option? Analyzing options can help you gain clarity on your future direction.
Mapping Your Course
Once you know the direction you want to take, the next step is to create a plan. Keep a clear, focused goal in mind and make sure to select long-term objectives that are achievable. It’s important to also be realistic about your goals and the resources available. Planning is key to success and reaching your destination in a timely, efficient manner.
Take the Plunge
When it’s finally time to take off, you don’t want any unwelcome buzzes to slow your forward momentum. Have all your preparation done, research the unfamiliar angles, and keep any doubts at bay. With some courage and belief in yourself, you can take flight and blaze your own path. Here are some tips that can help you stay steady:
- Maintain a positive attitude and stay focused on your journey
- Refrain from overthinking and let the path unfold naturally
- Embrace new challenges and the opportunity to learn
- Trust in your abilities and pursue your goals wholeheartedly
2. An Ounce of Prevention: 7 Strategies for Keeping Bees Away
Keep the Area Free of Food: Keeping your outdoor environment free of food scraps and other potential bee attractants is one of the best prevention strategies. Pet food, pop cans, fallen fruits or other trash should be cleaned up quickly and destroyed to ensure that bees don’t find an easy food source. Additionally, place garbage in tightly sealed containers as these will make it difficult for bees to uncover.
Reduce Water Sources: Bees are drawn to water sources, so constantly reducing or eliminating them can be effective at preventing their presence. Make sure to empty bird baths, kiddie-pools, and clogged gutters regularly to eliminate standing water. Regularly inspect the exterior of your home and seal any cracks or holes that could potentially be filled with water.
Reduce Plantings: Planting too many flowering plants in your garden can attract bees. To reduce their presence, only use local, native plants that will not attract them. Also, remember to regularly prune and trim these plantings to reduce the amount of pollen in the area.
Use Bee Repellants: Natural, store-bought, or homemade repellents can be used to keep bees away from the area. Garlic, cinnamon, and essential oils are some of the most commonly used items, but take note of the potential allergies when using these products. Additionally, sprinkle some dried onion and human hair around the area as these have been known to act as natural deterrents.
Use Barriers: Use physical barriers to keep bees away from the area. Install bee screens on windows and doors, hang bee traps in the garden and use bee vacuums to remove them. Make sure to clean the area regularly and replace old screens that may have been damaged.
Block Flight Paths: Bees need a landing spot to rest, so blocking potential flight paths can be effective in discouraging them from the area. Hang opaque yellow plastic ribbons and Mylar strips to disrupt their flight patterns and discourage them.
Protect Yourself: When working or spending time in areas known for bee presence, wear clothing that offers full coverage such as long-sleeved shirts, pants and hats. Identify and avoid any nests as much as possible. Be sure to carry an epinephrine autoinjector and antihistamines with you just in case of an emergency.
3. Help From High Above: Exploring Repel-ant-laden Products
It’s the age-old conundrum: how do you keep pesky bugs away without harsh chemicals and sprays? If you’re looking for a lower-impact solution, try exploring some repellent-laden products instead. These items act as a natural deterrent, using essential oils and other plant-based ingredients to ward off bugs.
Most repellents are a blend of essential oils, giving them a pleasant scent. This can be hugely helpful in areas where you may be gathering outdoors. Some of these oil combos, such as citronella, are well known for their bug-repelling abilities. Other choices include lemon eucalyptus, cedarwood, neem and clove. To maximize the potency of the repellant, use it in a combination of sprays, diffusers, and candles.
Here are some repellent-laden products to explore:
- Body lotions: Many body lotions contain subtly scented repellents that help ward off insects while keeping your skin moisturized.
- Bug-repelling bracelets: Pamper yourself with an easily portable wristband made of natural ingredients like citronella, lemon eucalyptus, neem and geranium.
- Fabric sprays: An all-around repellent for clothing and upholstery, this contains a mix of essential oils and hydrogenated castor oil for maximum bug-repelling ability.
As you can see, there are plenty of repellent-laden options to explore if you want to reduce your bug-related woes without resorting to harsh chemicals. Have fun testing out different products to find the one that works for you!
4. A Spritz of Safety: Opportunity in Odour-Based Repellents
For decades, odour-based repellents have proven to be one of the most reliable and effective forms of pest control. Whether dealing with roaches, mice, or insects, a spritz of safety is a worthwhile option. By harnessing the power of scent, these repellents can ward off pesky critters without the use of harsh chemicals or difficult-to-apply barriers.
The olfactory system is an incredibly powerful thing – and the right scents can be used to repel a variety of pests. Here are some of the top odour-based repellents:
- Citrus essential oils.
- Mustard oil and vinegar.
- Garlic and pepper concoctions.
- Solutions containing cayenne and/or paprika.
These odours all act as natural deterrents. They can be mixed and matched to suit any particular pest issue, making them versatile and highly adaptable. They are also relatively affordable, making them a great option for those on a budget.
Odour-based repellents are also extremely user-friendly and safe. There are rare to no side-effects associated with these types of repellents, and they leave no lasting damage. So if you’re looking for a safe, affordable, and effective form of pest control, it might be time to start exploring the world of odour-based repellents. You could be on the brink of a healthier, bug-free living space!
5. Deter-mined to Repell: Utilizing Visual Barriers
Are pesky pests leaving you feeling helpless and frustrated? Consider investing in visual barriers to repel pest infestations. Visual barriers block open spaces around your home, making it difficult for pests to reach their desired nesting area. Not only will visual barriers keep your home pest-free, but they also provide another layer of security for you and your family.
When evaluating visual barriers, it’s important to consider the type of material, size, and aesthetic value. For example, galvanized steel meshes are excellent for rodent control, as they enable you to detect which entry points they’re using. When it comes to protecting larger areas, woven nylon and fiberglass wovens are often the right choice. To find the right aesthetic value for your home, aluminum, vinyl, and brick are great for a visually appealing addition.
Here are some examples of visual barrier tactics that can help you repel pests:
- Screens & Mesh – Screens are an excellent way to prevent birds, flying insects, small rodents, and other pests from entering your home.
- Edging & Fencing – Properly installed edging or fencing can be very effective in keeping out small animals, or even larger ones like dogs, cats, or rabbits.
- Caulking & Patching – Blocking off potential entry points with caulking and patching can prevent larger pests from entering, as well as reduce potential damage.
Visual barriers are an effective way to repel pests and improve your home’s security. With so many options available, you’ll be able to find the right solutions for your individual needs. Stay determined and keep pests out of your home with visual barriers.
6. Taking the Sweet Out: Refraining From Provocative Perfumes
We don’t think twice before blindly spritzing ourselves with a heavy dose of cologne or perfume. The result? A blissful aroma that can often be a pleasant distraction for those nearby. But there’s a fine line between blissful and too-provocative-for-its-own-good, and erring on the side of caution is your best bet.
Here are 6 tips for wearing the right amount of scent:
- Ensure the scent lasts no more than a few hours.
- Spray cautiously because using too much perfume can be overpowering for those in close proximity.
- Choose a mild fragrance that won’t draw unnecessary attention.
- Avoid wearing scents in public areas such as offices, schools, or places of worship.
- Be mindful while choosing the type of scent you prefer – the notes have to be balanced and not intense.
- Using unscented body lotion before applying perfume can help the scent last longer and be more pleasant.
It’s not just about the scent though; it’s also about your environment. Make sure to tailor your perfume choices according to the atmosphere you will be in. Not only will you avoid overpowering the taste buds of your peers, but you will also show them respect by not overwhelming their personal space.
When it comes to wearing perfume, less is often more. By following the above guidelines, you can stay away from an intense and provocative scent while still experiencing its charm.
7. The Bliss of Landscaping: Natural Bee Deterrence
As anyone planning to landscape around their home knows, one of the first most important considerations is dealing with nuisance animals, especially bees! Have no fear; there are simple and even organic ways to keep bees away that don’t involve harsh chemicals or barrages of noise. The following are just a few of the creative approaches you can try for natural bee deterrence.
- Include Native Plants: Planting regional flower and shrub varieties will attract local bee species while keeping the population in control. Attracting specific species can actually help keep their more obnoxious counterparts away.
- Invite Birds and Bats: Bee predators like cardinals, swallows, and bats can all help control bee populations. Create bird boxes and bat houses to help encourage these helpful animals to your property.
- Coffee Pulp: There’s no need to buy fancy bee repellents when you’ve got coffee in your cupboard! Coffee pulp is a popular natural repellent you can use to create barriers around plants and around trouble spots.
When done correctly, natural bee deterrence can help you keep pesky bees away from your property without posing a threat to the environment. That way, you can let the bliss of landscaping – including the beauty of/by/with bees – join you as you take countenance.
Natural bee deterrence has its limits though, so it’s important to stay educated about the species of bees you’re most likely to encounter in your area. Remember: bees are valuable pollinators and part of the overall cycle of our planet’s health.
8. Outsmarting the Swarm: Noise Deterrence Tactics
Faced with an increasing number of nuisance animals, pest control experts have come up with several innovative ways of deterring them. From loud, irritating noises and flashing lights to simple chemical repellents, here are some of the tactics you can use to beat the swarm.
- Sonic Devices: Ultrasonic devices emit unpleasantly loud, high-pitched waves that are designed to keep away birds, rodents, and even some insects. They work best when placed close to the area being invaded and when powered by batteries or electricity.
- Flashing Lights: Lights that automatically switch on and off, or strobe in different patterns, can help keep away nocturnal creatures. Installing these lights in your garden or yard can help keep your area safe from unwanted company during the night.
- Chemical Repellents: Available in both liquid and granule form, these repellents are typically easy to use and can be applied to areas of your home, garage or garden. They emit unpleasant smells and tastes that drive the pests away.
These noise deterrence tactics are cost-effective methods of outsmarting the swarm and keeping your home, garden and yard safe. By combining several of these tactics, you can effectively deter the pests without having to resort to more extreme measures.
Remember that different pests respond to different deterrents, so it is important to do your research and find out which method is most effective in your area. With the right strategies and preventative measures in place, you can be sure to outsmart the swarm.
Your bee-free days ahead are almost here! With these seven simple methods, you’re well-equipped to keep bees away and enjoy your outdoor activities in peace. No need to worry about another bee buzz any time soon!