Bees are essential to our environment and many parts of our lives, but they’re not always welcome visitors. If you’ve ever found yourself swatting away unwelcome bees and wondering what to do, we’ve got your answer. We’ve collected natural bee repellent tips and recipes so you can “buzz off” these pests without using harmful chemicals.
1. Protecting Your Home From Bees: Natural Bee Repellent Tips & Recipes
Bees are beneficial insects, but their presence can be a nuisance when they build a nest near or inside your home. Unfortunately, there are many toxic commercial repellents readily available, but the good news is there are some more natural solutions. Here are some tips and DIY recipes you can use:
- Using essential oils – The strong scent of certain essential oils such as cedarwood, peppermint, and lemongrass can keep bees away. Simply mix a few drops of oil with some water and spray around the area you want to protect.
- Creating an outdoor oasis – Bees are not hostile to humans, they are just territorial. Planting flowers, such as lavender and sage, and making sure the area has fresh water can help divert them away from your home.
Homemade Bee Repellents: You don’t have to rely on store-bought pesticides to keep bees away. There are many DIY recipes that are just as effective. Here are a few natural repellents to consider:
- Boiling water – Boiling water is a great natural way to deter bees from a given area. Simply pour the boiling water over the bee’s nest. This will kill the bees and disrupt the queen.
- Mint and cinnamon mixture – Mint and cinnamon contain compounds that naturally repel bees. Simply grind up the two herbs and mix with water. Spray the mixture around the affected area for pest control.
When it comes to protecting your home from bees, natural repellent recipes can provide a safe and effective solution. Try some of the above tips and recipes to safeguard your home without having to use harsh chemicals.
2. A Guide to Non-Toxic Bee Repellents
Bee populations have shrunk drastically in recent years and it is more important than ever to protect them. But what can you do to keep them from your space without harming them? Here are some of the best non-toxic methods you can use:
- Plant Lavender– Lavender has a strong smell that bees dislike and it’s easy to maintain, making it an ideal natural repellent. Plant it close to your windows or door if bees start gathering around the area.
- Buy a Fake Hive – Bees are territorial animals and won’t enter an area if they detect another hive nearby. Installing a fake hive can create a natural deterrent without any harm to them.
- Use Peppermint Oil– You can prepare a bee-repelling mixture at home by mixing peppermint oil and water. Apply the spray to areas near your home or garden to keep the bees away.
- Remove Standing Water– Standing water is an inviting place for bees, so eliminating any puddles or water containers near your house can help keep them away.
You also need to consider the size of your garden when deciding which type of natural repellent is best for you. For larger gardens and yards, fake hives work best as they can protect the entire area from bee invasions. If you have a smaller garden and the bees are only entering through one specific area, then lavender or peppermint oil sprays can do the job.
Using non-toxic methods to repel bees is an effective way to protect them without leading to their destruction. Thankfully, there are a number of natural alternatives that are equally effective at keeping them away from your space.
3. Why Relying on Natural Repellents Is Best for Bees and Humans
When it comes to keeping bees and humans safe from pests, natural repellents are the way to go. Many homeowners and farmers opt for chemical-based repellents when dealing with an infestation, unaware of the potentially hazardous consequences these substances can have. Natural repellents offer an appealing alternative to traditional pest control methods, while safeguarding both people and pollinators. Here are 3 key reasons .
Non-Toxic and Safe For People and Animals: Many chemical-based repellent ingredients can be toxic to people and animals alike. On the other hand, natural repellents are generally non-toxic and safer to use around humans and pets. Natural repellents can rid your home or garden of pests without posing a threat to your health or that of your loved ones.
Non-Invasive: Natural repellents are less disruptive to the environment than their chemical counterparts. Since most natural repellents are non-toxic, they will not alter the natural balance of the environment, nor will they have an adverse effect on wildlife species or plants. This makes them an optimal choice for beekeepers or farmers looking to protect their crops without doing any harm.
Effective and Long-Lasting: Natural repellents are just as effective as traditional pest control methods, and can provide long-lasting protection. Common natural repellent options include:
- Coffee grounds
- Garlic and onion powder
- Dried herbs, such as mint and lavender
- Cayenne pepper
- Eucalyptus oil
These repellents will help keep bees away without any harm to them or to the humans in the vicinity. Natural repellents are a safe, effective and long-term solution for pest control in home environments and agricultural settings.
4. Common Natural Ingredients for DIY Bee Repellents
For those serious about finding a solution to the problem of bees disturbing their outdoor activities, there are several DIY bee repellents that can be made from natural ingredients. Here are some of the most popular:
- Mint and Peppermint: Both of these herbs contain menthol which has a strong and refreshing aroma to us, but bees find it rather unpleasant. To make a repellent out of these natural ingredients, simply boil some chopped-up peppermint and mint in water and strain the leaves from the water. The resulting liquid can be sprayed on problematic areas to keep the bees away!
- Citrus: By now you may have noticed the strong citrus scent emanating from many commercial bee repellents. This is because a lot of bees are repelled by the smell of citrus fruits. To make a DIY solution, mix fresh or dried citrus peels with water in a blender and strain the mixture before spraying it onto the bees’ target areas.
- Garlic: Garlic is a common ingredient used in many DIY bee repellants. To make a solution out of this ingredient, mash some garlic cloves and mix them in a pot of boiling water. Let it cool before straining and pouring the resulting liquid into a spray bottle and disperse the repellant over the problem area.
These home-made solutions are a great way to keep bees away from your garden, patio, or backyard without causing them any harm. All the ingredients are easy to find in grocery stores, and they’re also much cheaper than store-bought repellants. For best results, you may have to reapply your DIY solution on a regular basis.
5. Brew Your Own Homemade Bee Repellent Recipe
Bee infestations can ruin a day outdoors. If you’re looking for natural ways to get rid of bees, making your own homemade bee repellent is one of the safest and most effective options. Here’s a simple recipe you can follow:
- Ingredients:
- ½ cup of white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- ½ teaspoon of dish soap
- 1-2 tablespoons of water
Combine the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake until everything is well-mixed. Spray this mixture on plants, shrubs, and any other areas where bees seem to gather. Be warned — the smell of vinegar may be a bit off-putting to humans, too!
The honey in this solution acts as a natural bait to attract the bees so they’ll become accustomed to the smell of the repellent. They’ll eventually stay away from areas where the mixture is sprayed. Re-apply the solution once a week to make sure your bee repellent is up-to-date.
6. Herbs, Spices, and Essential Oils—The Magic Mixture to Repel Bees
Herbs, spices, and essential oils offer a great variety of options to ward off bees without putting yourself or your family in harm’s way. These aromatic concoctions have been used for centuries to repel bees from gardens and homes, but research to understand their effects are still ongoing. However, even without a full scientific explanation, the never-ending selection of herbs, spices, and essential oils remains a go-to habit for a lot of people.
Herbs like tansy, mint, lemon balm, and garlic are some of the natural ingredients that can serve as a bee repellent. Additionally, soaking dead leaves in warm water and spraying them around your garden may also do the job. For areas where putting herb plants is impractical, it’s also possible to purchase pre-made herbal mixtures at many garden stores.
Spices such as black pepper, cinnamon, paprika, and cayenne pepper can act as deterrents if sprinkled around doors or windows. Mix these spices with water to create an effective repellent, or make an oil-based paste to coat wooden entrances, railing, posts, and other objects that attract bees.
Essential oils like spearmint, lemongrass, pennyroyal, wintersweet, and eucalyptus are especially effective when applied with the help of a garden sprayer. When using essential oils, it’s important to remember that both their aroma and intensity can vary greatly, so it’s best to increase the concentration at low doses until you achieve the desired effect.
It’s also important to remember that these ingredients work differently with different kinds of bees, so it might be necessary to experiment with different combinations to find the one that works best.
7. Creating Natural Barriers for Long-Term Protection From Bees
Planting bee-repelling plants is an effective and natural means of protecting your property from bee stings and hives. Most herbs and flowers, from hibiscus to lavender, are known to repel bees. Planting these around the areas of your property where humans will be is effective for natural bee control.
Installing bee traps can be a practical way of reducing the activity of bees in your yard without having to resort to more aggressive methods. When placed around your property, these traps attract the bees with a sweet food bait. Once in the trap, the bees cannot escape and will eventually die from starvation.
Cleaning up food and water sources is yet another way to reduce bee activity in your yard. Storing and disposing of trash properly is key in keeping bees away; spilled drinks or any other potential food sources that could attract bees must be kept to a minimum. Additionally, it’s important to keep the bird baths and pet water dishes far away from the areas frequented by bees.
Putting up a physical barrier is a measure that can effectively discourage bees from invading your space. Installing a fence around the perimeter of your property is a good deterrent of bee swarms, as well as screening off areas of your property that are more vulnerable to bee infestations. Adding thick layers of mulch or gravel to the base of the fence will help to keep the bees out.
8. Alternatives to Chemical Insecticides: A Smarter Choice for Your Health and Environment
Conventional chemical insecticides are widely used to control pests, weeds, and other forms of living organisms that are considered threats to humans or their crops. However, the use of chemical insecticides has been linked to pollution and human health problems, making them an often uninformed choice for pest control.
Organic pest control alternatives are often a smarter and safer approach in protecting the environment, as well as your health. Organic pest control uses living and non-living natural control agents that are environmentally friendly. These gentle insecticides learned from nature and used in controlled amounts can help you manage insects, disease and weeds.
- Biological controls, like predators, pathogens and parasites, can help eradicate insect pests by preying on them.
- Neem, a derivative of the neem tree, has antiseptic, antifungal and pesticidal properties, making it a great natural remedy for controlling insects.
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is another natural insecticide that destroys certain insect pest species.
- Integrated pest control, such as using beneficial insects, removing scrap wood and debris, mulching, and trapping, can help reduce pest population.
By shifting to organic insecticides, you can greatly reduce the amount of chemical insecticides and toxins that enter your environment, keeping you and your family safe from harmful chemicals.
Looking to keep those pesky bees away this summer? Try out these natural bee repellent recipes and tips. With a bit of creativity and a few simple ingredients, you’ll be saying ‘buzz off’ to bees in no time.