Are you fed up with bees buzzing around your garden? Are you unsure of how to control these uninvited guests without using any harsh chemicals? Fear not, for there are natural repellents that can be used to make your garden bee-free and just as beautiful as ever. Read on to learn how you can keep the bees away without harming the environment in any way.
1. Pollination Power: The Benefits of Bee-Friendly Gardens
Bees are an essential part of the ecosystem. Their main job is to pollinate the world’s flowers and crops, and without them, many plants wouldn’t be able to reproduce. Thankfully, though, bees can be kept in our own backyard too, and there are a number of benefits to having a bee-friendly garden.
For one, planting a variety of flowers, herbs and trees will attract a wide range of different bees, each bringing their own particular type of pollination. This in turn provides your garden with improved fertility, more delicious and abundant fruits, bigger and more beautiful flowers, and a healthier and more productive flowering season.
What’s more, with increasing awareness of the plight facing many bees, and a general inclination towards sustainable and eco-friendly practices and lifestyles, having a bee-friendly garden can also be a great way to do your bit and contribute positively to the environment.
Some great bee-friendly garden ideas to get you started include:
- Creating a bee bath: fill a shallow dish of water with some stones and pebbles so bees have easy access to the water and a place to stand on while they drink.
- Growing bee-friendly plants: certain trees, herbs and flowers are key favourites for bees. Examples include lavender, dandelion, sage and mint, and butterfly bush.
- Creating nesting spots: make a handful of small holes in the ground and fill them with coarse soil, twigs and leaves to encourage nesting.
Taking the time and effort to cultivate a bee-friendly garden can be incredibly rewarding and beneficial to the environment, so why not give it a try today?
2. Inviting Flora: Attracting Beneficial Pollinators
In order to bring in beneficial pollinators and maximize the yield of your garden or flower bed, getting the right kind of flora is essential. Choosing the most suitable plants is a great way to naturally invite beneficial pollinators into your space.
Here are some plants that are perfect for attracting beneficial pollinators:
- Coneflowers
- Aster
- Coneflowers
- Lavender
- Catmint
Flowers with bright, showy petals in blue, yellow, purple and red hues, such as coneflowers, will bring in the most pollinators. Also, those that are especially fragrant or those with multiple tiers of blooms will do well in inviting the most beneficial insect visitors.
Think of planting wildflowers too. Wildflowers are drought-tolerant and generally easier to care for than annuals, so they’re perfect for areas that may not get much consistent maintenance. Many wildflowers, such as black-eyed Susans and coreopsis, are fantastic for attracting beneficial pollinators such as butterflies, bees and moths.
3. Uninvited Guests: Keeping Unwanted Bees Away
Humans aren’t the only species that can find a way into our spaces when we don’t want them to. Bees are a significant problem for many households, whether it be wasps or honey bees. But, the presence of bees can be scary and hazardous, though they can be beneficial too when they’ve been invited in.
Here are a few things you can do to keep bees away from your property when they’re not welcomed:
- Inspect the Property: Look inside and outside of your home for openings that may invite bees. Pay extra attention to any door and window frames, as well as holes in walls. Seal up entry points that you find.
- Take Care of the Property: Bees can sense the availability of food and water, so make sure to keep your area clean and free of garbage. Keep a lid on your disposal and don’t leave food out.
- Avoid Strong Scents: Bees are attracted to floral scents, so avoid using fragrant cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, and body sprays. Pack away fragrant candles and plug-in fragrances.
One last thing to consider: some species of bees are endangered, so it’s important to make sure that if you have bees in your area, you don’t hurt or kill them. If a bee hive or swarm is welcome, contact your local beekeeper to help relocate them.
4. Gardening with Nature: Natural Repellents for Bees
Keep bees away with natural repellents
Bees can be beneficial in the garden, helping to pollinate your plants and flowers. But if they become too much of a pest, here is a list of natural and chemical-free repellents to keep them at bay:
- Cinnamon – This select spice is a natural bee deterrent. Try sprinkling some cinnamon in the garden where the pests have been congregating and watch them buzz away!
- Cayenne pepper – A sprinkle of cayenne pepper powder around the perimeter of the garden will help to repel bees.
- Mint – If bees have been swarming, try planting some mint around your garden to help keep them out. The aroma of mint can be gently repelling, making your garden an undesired spot for the bees.
These natural methods work, but they will not be 100% effective – if the bees are persistent in trying to access your garden, you may need to consider some other approaches. One such measure is to introduce some predators into your garden such as frogs, ladybugs, or dragonflies, who specifically eat bees and will help control their numbers. Another is by planting flowers or herbs, such as sage and thyme, that attract honeybees, thus diverting them away from other parts of your garden.
With a few simple steps, you can keep the bee population under control in your garden and enjoy a buzz-free summer.
5. Repellent Plants: From Mint to Marigolds
The War of Nature Against Pests
Nature provides a number of powerful tools to repel pests. In our gardens, it is possible to deploy a number of plants that deter unwanted visitors. Here is a look at five of the most effective plants:
1. Mint: Mint is a fragrant and zesty plant often used in cooking, but also a powerful natural pest repellent. The oil found in mint acts as a natural insect repellent as well as deterring small mammals from entering our gardens.
2. Cilantro: Cilantro shares some of the same properties as mint but with a unique, herbal aroma. Planting cilantro can deter caterpillars and mosquito populations from entering, giving a garden full of culinary herbs an even greater boost.
3. Garlic: One of the most effective garden plants, garlic also provides a variety of health benefits. The strong odor of garlic is capable of keeping away a variety of pests, and when used alongside other fragrant plants, can be especially impactful.
4. Nasturtiums: These are a helpful addition to any garden, as they do double duty. Beautiful and brightly-colored, they also pack a punch when it comes to pest control. The strong and spicy scent of nasturtiums can be a catalyst for deterring destructive pests such as aphids from entering.
5. Marigolds: A true garden classic, the marigold is a great plant for both flowerbeds and vegetable patches. Here, it helps repel root maggots and nematodes, two of the most damaging pests for gardeners.
6. Aromatic Outcomes: Lemon, Spice and Everything Nice
Lemon
The scent of lemon is perhaps one of the most invigorating fragrances known to man. Lemons are used to freshen air, add zest to recipes, and even as aromatherapy to uplift moods. The clean citrus scent is known to reduce stress, increase alertness, and eliminate odors. Its antiseptic properties make lemons an excellent choice for a host of home remedies – from relieving colds to curing headaches and even freshening breath!
Spice
Adding a pinch of spice to a dish is an age-old trick for bringing out unique flavors, and producing aromatic results. With more than 30,000 spices to choose from, the possibilities are almost endless. Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves, can bring out flavors from sweet to savory, and from mild to spicy. In addition to adding flavor to a dish, many spices are also known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, making them not only fantastic for culinary purposes, but for therapeutic uses as well.
Everything Nice
When it comes to aromatic outcomes, sometimes the best solution is to combine various scents to make something entirely new and unique. This is the case with lemon, spice, and everything nice. Mixing oils from different plants, fruits, herbs, and spices can create a delightful blend full of depth and complexity. This combination of aromas can give a space an overall warm, inviting feeling while still being an uplifting, energizing experience. Not only is this scent blend great for creating an inviting atmosphere, but it also disinfects surfaces, camouflages unpleasant odors, and brings a gentle joy to those who experience it.
7. Taking Action: Strategically Planning Your Garden
If you want your garden project to be quilted in beauty and assembly efficiently, you will need an organized plan. And while plans may sound like a bunch of boring paperwork, they really provide a path to help guide all aspects of your garden project.
The planning stage is also the time to assess what kind of garden you want and to make sure your expectations are realistic. Think big, but plan wisely. Having a clear plan in mind before starting can save you time, money and energy.
Follow these steps for strategic garden planning:
- Consider the space you plan to garden in.
- Plan the type of plants you will be growing.
- Draw a detailed garden plan with rough dimensions.
- Outline the amount of money, time, and effort required.
Understanding the time, money, and effort that’s going to be needed to make your garden oasis can help you plan to get the most out of your garden. After doing the groundwork, you can finally start to take action and turn your visions into reality.
Gardening is both a marathon and a sprint; but with a healthy dose of pre-planning and a strategic approach, you can start building your dream garden.
8. Ecological Harmony: Creating a Bee-Free Garden
It isn’t enough to just maintain the greenery of your garden, but to also strive for ecological harmony. There are steps that you can take to create a bee-free garden, and here is a guide on how to get it done:
- Plant Flowers Away from Doors and Windows. Bees and other buzzing insects tend to linger near doors and windows. Practice responsible gardening and nurture your flowers and plants far away from accessible entry points of your home – such as away from your balcony or patio space.
- Remove Sources of Water near Your Garden. Bees require a consistent, ready source of water to stay alive. Your garden may inadvertently be the source they rely on, so ensure you clean and maintain water troughs or bird baths regularly, and move them far away from your garden.
- Manage the Unwanted insects. If there’s simply too much plant life in your garden, you may attract other insects, such as aphids, or caterpillars. It’s important to use a pesticide responsibly – as bees will likely be attracted to the pesticide, too. If possible, manage these pests with natural and organic means.
Apart from the plants, ensuring the cleanliness of your garden is also important. Be mindful when pruning and lopping trees and plants, as this can easily disrupt existing bee nests. Keeping the garden tidy and organised is a great way to discourage bees from taking shelter there.
Finally, consider creating an area in your garden that is bee-friendly. Having bee-friendly flowers will give them an opportunity to forage and help with pollination. After all, maintaining ecological balance means doing your part for the environment and its inhabitants.
There are a myriad of creative ways to make bee-free gardens. Whether you choose natural repellents, physical barriers, or other methods, you can have a beautiful garden without the fear of unwelcome visitors. Let your garden thrive without bees to bother you!
