Do you ever feel like you’re part of an ant march when you accidentally disturb a bee colony while mowing in your own backyard? It can be overwhelming when you can almost feel the angry buzz of thousands of bees coming your way. But thankfully, there are many ways to keep bees away from your property without using potentially harmful chemical pesticides. Read on to find out some natural tips and tricks to keep bees far away from your home and yard.
1. Nature’s Natural Bee Repellers
Bees may look cute, but they can cause quite a lot of annoyance and damage if they nest near your home. Luckily, there are natural remedies you can use to repel bees without chemicals.
- Mix citrus essential oils such as lemon, orange, and eucalyptus. Spray this mix near nests or potential nesting sites to repel bees.
- Plant certain herbs like lavender, mint, and basil near entryways and windows to your home. Bees do not like the smell and will not come near.
- Using a mixture of strong smells like garlic, chili powder, and vinegar will help keep bees away, especially when sprayed near a nest.
Bees will also shy away from certain colors such as bright red, orange, yellow and white. Planting brightly colored flowers around your yard can act as a natural repellent.
Finally, install bee exclusion netting around your home to keep them from entering. This way bees can still come around and pollinate flowers and plants, but won’t get too close to your home.
2. Sweet-Smelling Solutions to Eschew Bees
Bees are integral for the functioning of our planet – we need them to pollinate our crops and flowers, but that doesn’t mean their buzzing can’t be quite the nuisance for many of us. If you find yourself swarmed by bees, these natural solutions could help you keep them at bay.
- Crush mint leaves and sprinkle the aroma-infused residue near bee-friendly spots – the menthol smell is an effective deterrent.
- Soak cotton balls in vinegar and place them in areas where the bees are becoming particularly bothersome. This acrid scent will stop them from coming too close.
- Light a citronella candle to cover a larger area with an off-putting smell for bees. The pleasant citrusy scent that we enjoy is decidedly unappealing to these insects.
You can also make your own concoction of citrus fruit rinds and dish soap – the intense smell will drive away the bee and its friends. Honey farmers have been known to use lemongrass too, filling sachets with the crushed herb to chase away the buzzing menaces. And many people also swear by spraying vanilla extract around the entrance of a beehive.
Generally speaking, bees aren’t particularly drawn to strong-smelling ingredients which contain mint, vinegar, citronella and citrus, so there are no shortage of sweet-smelling solutions to keep them at bay.
3. Repel Bees with Scents and Plants
Bee’s don’t just buzz, they sting! But don’t worry, there are some simple methods to get these little buggers away from you.
Essential Oils are an effective way to repel bees. Most effective are peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and citronella. You can purchase these oils, or find their natural counterparts, and fill a spray bottle with some water and oil mixture. Spray around areas that you want to keep the bees from and the scent will do the rest.
Insect-Repelling Plants. Another natural way to keep bees away is to place certain plants around your outdoor areas. Plants such as lavender, mint, and basil are known to keep away bees and provide a pleasant aroma. They also serve as a natural decoration!
- Mint
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Eucalyptus
- Citronella
- Lavender
- Basil
If you think you have a pesky bee infestation, try out these methods to turn them away.You’ll be pleasantly surprised and relieved by the results!
4. Beneficial Blooms that Scare Away Bees
Spring blooms offer a plethora of colourful plants that brighten up any outdoor space. And this doesn’t come as a surprise considering the multitude of benefits they bring. But, if you’re afraid of bees and their buzzing sounds, you don’t have to worry when planting these blooms. Here are some flowers that can help keep the stinging buzzers away:
- Geraniums: Their beautiful deep pink petals effortlessly can create a beautiful oasis in any outdoor space, and is an excellent deterrent for bees thanks to its toxic pollen and nectar.
- Lavendula: From anxiolytic tinctures to beautiful purplish blooms, this one packs quite a punch in terms of keeping the bee population at bay. The flowers’ aroma is known to push away the annoying insects.
- Marigolds: Marigolds’ pungent scent and bright hues can act as a deterrent for bees. This type of bloom is also known for its ability to keep certain plants safe from pesky critters such as aphids.
The bad news is that these beautiful blooms may not be enough to fully deter bees. So, it’s essential to look into other measures such as planting bee traps and pruning plants away from areas near human activity.
Lastly, a bee-friendly garden also helps by providing the hive community with essential resources such as nectar and pollen. Creating a haven suitable for bees is also recommended, as it will help keep their numbers and, consequently, buzzing sounds, to a minimum.
5. Herb Savvy: Which Herbs Keep Bees at Bay?
Catnip and eucalyptus are two of the best herbs to keep bees away. Not only do they have natural repellent properties, they’re also easy to grow. Growing your own catnip and eucalyptus will help you keep the bees away in your area. Plus, it reduces your dependency on synthetic repellents.
You can also ward off bees with lavender and peppermint. Though bees are attracted to the scent of lavender, the strong smell of peppermint will mask the lavender and keep the bees away. Planting lavender or peppermint around your home is an effective natural way to bee-proof your environment.
Mint and thyme are two more herbs that can be used to keep bees away. Mint acts as a natural insect repellent, while thyme can help you avoid pollen allergies. To take advantage of these herbs, you can grow them in pots or directly in the ground around your home to keep bees away. Additionally, you can rub the leaves of the mint and thyme plants against your skin or clothing for added protection.
By using natural herbs to protect yourself from bees, you can enjoy the outdoors without fear of getting stung. For the best protection, be sure to plant a variety of bee-repelling herbs around your home, such as:
- Catnip
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Mint
- Thyme
6. Beneficial Insects in the Bee Battle
Bees and other beneficial insects act as a frontline defense against crop-eating pests, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to foster a healthy bee population on farms and in the wild. Farmers are familiar with using natural methods to control insect-borne diseases, but often forget that beneficial bugs play an equally important role.
Not all bugs are cutouts to villainy – some are the heroes of the insect realm. The bee battle in which these beneficial insects come into play requires both farmers and policymakers to create a systemic approach to pest control that harnesses the power of beneficial bugs and avoids unnecessary pesticide use.
The Good Bugs
- Honeybees – this species of bee is crucial for pollination. Without them, a great portion of the crops we enjoy today wouldn’t exist.
- Lacewings – these delightful insect eat aphids, mealybugs, mites, and other soft-bodied pests.
- Ladybugs – also known as lady beetles, they make a living by devouring aphids, mites, scale insects, and the larvae of several harmful insects.
- Parasitic wasps – as the name implies, these tiny wasps actually lay their eggs inside of a pest’s living body.
It’s essential that we recognize and value the role that beneficial insects of all kinds play in the grand scheme. The methods employed by these tiny but mighty defenders can be a powerful part of any farmer’s pest control strategy – and the health of the planet’s crop production shall bear testimony to it.
7. Sprinkle Advice: What Sprays Keep Bees Away?
When you hear “bee spray” it’s usually in reference to repelling these annoying flying pests from your garden. But what other sprays are there out there that can deter bees?
First off, essential oils and their mixtures are the best natural remedy to avoid an overly proud bee population. Plant extracts of peppermint, cinnamon, citronella, geranium, and eucalyptus are all known to keep bees away, even if you don’t want to use the oil directly. Rather, you could opt for insecticide sprays made from these extracts that are highly effective.
If you’d rather take a more synthetic approach, look for sprays that are pyrethrin-based, an insecticide blend of natural plant pyrethrum. It’s considered one of the safest and most potent insect killers, and is often harmless to bees that are just passing by.
A few conventional products to consider for bee repellents are:
- Mace Brand Bee & Wasp Spray
- Raid Flying Insect Killer
- Essentria IC3 Insecticide Concentrate
- Ortho Home Defense Hornet & Wasp Killer
- Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer
When using any spray, make sure to read instructions clearly and thoroughly and wear gloves when handling for safety. You’ll want to spray at a distance to avoid bees that may still be in the vicinity. Once you’ve sprayed, it’ll create a lasting “odor wall” that will be sure to keep annoying bees away.
8. Bee Notified: What Signs Alert You of a Bee Infestation?
Bees can be a nuisance when unwelcome, and understanding what signs alert you to a potential bee infestation is essential to ensuring you don’t find yourself face to face with a serious problem. Here are some top signs to look out for:
- Swarms: Bees will swarm as a group to move onto a new hive – this activity is a sure sign of an insect infestation.
- Unusual noise: Bees generate a buzzing sound – if you detect an unusually loud buzzing in the area, bees may be present.
- Hive: Look for honeycombs in dark, untouched corners or crevices. If you spot a hive or bee trail, chances are there is an infestation around.
Other signs include insect production of eggs or larvae, as well as a continuous influx of bees. If you detect a pheromone smell – due to production of a scent to attract new bees- it’s a good idea to check for a bee infestation and contact professional help.
Noticing the above signs of a potential bee infestation in and around your home is key to preventing an unwelcome surprise or infestation. By being aware of the signs, you can make sure that you act promptly and minimise any risks.
Don’t let the fear of bees get in the way of a beautiful summer day. With a few simple tips and helpful remedies, you can keep bees away naturally and enjoy the season without worry. So go ahead and forget the bug spray and grab an orange wedge; you’ll be enjoying your yard in no time.
