When the summer months come around, one of the most common concerns of homeowners is the appearance of bees in their gardens. Although these creatures are beneficial for the environment, they can be disruptive and even dangerous when they get too close. Thankfully, there are certain smells that can help us keep bees away – read on to learn more about the “Bees Be Gone” method and how it can help you avoid these troublesome insects!
1. The Buzz on Repelling Bees
Are you swatting away bees like Taekwondo master this summer? If you’ve had enough of these stinging insects, you may be looking for natural ways to deter bees. While chemical repellents do work, many people prefer to use natural, non-toxic and, most importantly, safe options that don’t harm the bees. Here are some tips and tricks to bear in mind:
- Swatting or shooing bees will only make matters worse. If they’re already annoyed with your presence, any sudden movements or aggressive attempts at removal will aggravate them.
- Bath salts are a great natural repellent! Fill a sock with 2-3 tablespoons of bath salts, tie it closed, and hang it up somewhere in your outdoor area. The sulfonated oils released by the salts will ward off any pesky bees without harming them.
GCAL, or garlic, citric acid and liquid soap: For a homemade solution that you can spray in your garden, mix 1 quart of water with 5 tablespoons of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap, and 2 teaspoons of citric acid. Shake the mixture well and spray it over areas in your garden where bees come and go.
To sum it up: Bees, like most animals, rely on their sense of smell to guide them. If you surround areas with strong odors that aren’t attractive to them, you have a good chance of deterring them (without harming them). Pay attention to your outdoor environment and create a bee-unfriendly space for a buzz-free summer!
2. Natural Weapons Against Pesky Buzzers
Let’s face it, nothing can ruin a summer evening like an unending parade of buzzing bugs. But before you reach for the bug spray or grab a fly swatter, consider that there are a variety of .
To start, some plants make excellent bug-chasers. Help your garden flowers bloom with anything from aromatic, insect-repelling herbs and shrubs like lavender and rosemary to resistant bloomers like bee balm and marigolds. Alternately, if you grow edibles, consider growing tomatoes, kale, or mustard greens, which are naturally resistant to pesky insects. Adding these plants to your garden will help prevent any unwelcome buzzers if monitored and maintained properly.
Fire can also be leveraged as an all-natural bug deterrent. Citronella torches are a great way to fend off insects in the evening and send them flying faster than you can say “bzzzz!” Substances like chili powder can be used as a spicy shield against any small bugs that threaten to invade your outdoor relaxation, while pressure-treated woods like red cedar also contain naturally repellent oils.
Here are a few more techniques you can use to keep the buzzers away:
- Tuck mint sprigs into your windowsills to keep the bugs at bay.
- Use insect-deterring essential oils like peppermint or lemongrass to make an outdoor bug spray for your skin.
- Sprinkle a mixture of flour and cinnamon onto doorways and window sills as a natural barrier to keep bugs out of your home.
- Dress in light colors, as brighter hues may attract some insects.
No matter what you choose, these natural weapons are sure to help you take back your summer evenings from the buzzers.
3. Potent Products for Keeping Bees at Bay
Most of us try to avoid bees as much as possible, but when their buzzing around our yards and gardens, it can become a serious problem. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your outdoor spaces free of bees without resorting to damaging or lethal measures. Here are three potent products that can help you shoo away bees and keep them at bay:
- Oil-based sprays: Oil-based formulas are made of natural ingredients that are effective at repelling bees and other unwanted insects. These formulas contain sweet-smelling oils that bees hate, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemongrass. For best results, try spraying them on flowers, garden plants, and other areas where bees tend to swarm.
- Bee traps: Bee traps are designed to attract bees into a contained compartment. Once inside, they have difficulty finding their way out. Place these traps around your garden or patio, and the bees will be caught before they can cause any trouble.
- Bug zappers: Bug zappers may seem like a radical measure, but they can be quite effective at eliminating bee infestations. This electronic device kills insects on contact, providing you with a safe and efficient way to get rid of bees without poisoning the environment.
By using these potent products to keep bees at bay, you can keep your outdoor spaces free of buzzing visitors and enjoy your summer in peace.
4. The Sweet Aroma of Bee-Proofing
Countering the Age-Old Enemy of Bees: Predation
Though the homes and hives of the industrious bee have long been see as a valuable resource for the world’s agriculture, their inner workings have been constantly at odds with society’s ever-growing love for urban development. Until now.
Modern bee-proofing measures have made it possible for urban gardeners to host their own apiaries and provide a safe home for their buzzing guests. For instance, one can now invest in a set of bee guards, these metal companions act as a shield from predators that might want a quick bee snack.
Not only is bee-proofing easy to setup, the effects of bee-guard protection are easily measurable:
- Decreased Pesticide Use
- Improved Pollination
- Higher-Yield, Thriving Colonies
One of the greatest joys of expanding an urban apiary is the ability to enjoy as an assurance that your buzzing friends can stay safe and continue to provide the joy of honey and population to the wild and wonderful world.
5. Don’t Let Foul Fragrances Fool Your Bees
You know the beauty of having a garden or farm teeming with a thriving bee population? They come and go without ever disturbing a soul, as long as they’re welcomed with sweet and pleasant scents.
But, if you let a nasty or overpowering smell fight for attention or worse, overtake your surroundings, it will only drive away the bees. That’s why you should always remember the saying ”If you can smell it, the bees can smell it!” Here are some ways to ensure that nasty scents don’t get in the way of your bee population’s productivity:
- Keep your compost pile far from your plants and flowers.
- Avoid using strong insecticides, even if your garden has an infestation problem.
- Avoid grilling food directly in your backyard.
- Make sure all trash cans and drains have lids on them.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking your bees won’t be affected by a foul odor – they are very sensitive beings who rely on strong smells to decide where to fly. A bad scent can make them feel overwhelmed and they’ll end up flying elsewhere.
Some smells you might think of as harmless can turn off bees. For instance, fabric softeners, hairspray, perfumes, and scented candles create a misleading smell that makes bees believe they’re farther away from the pollen they were looking for.
6. Making Your Home a Buzz-Free Zone
Let the buzz-free zone begin!
Use Technology Tactics. If you have tech-savvy kids at home, you know they’re likely to be tempted by devices and gadgets. Set limits for the amount of time they’re allowed to spend in front of a screen, and consider investing in headphones for adults and kids alike. Eliminating the buzz of TVs, computers, and other gadgets can help you take some of the stress away and make the whole family enjoy quality time together.
Say No to External Sounds. Don’t let external noises, like radios and cars, creep in and interfere with daily life. Encourage family members to stay away from loud noises, particularly in the evenings. If soundproofing your house isn’t an option, get some blackout curtains to keep things peaceful.
Replace Stressful Activities. Get rid of any activities that make the environment chaotic or too busy. Avoid activities that create a lot of buzz, such as video games that require multiple players. Instead, opt for board games, reading, and crafts.
Introduce Calming Routines. Establishing a calming routine for bedtime or after-school can help create an inviting environment. Think of ways to decompress to relax before heading to bed. A few ideas:
- Meditation
- Breathing exercises
- Relaxing music
Adding a few minutes of relaxation every day can change the entire atmosphere of your house and make it a much more tranquil space.
7. Stop the Sting: Last Resort Solutions
When all other attempts to eliminate the sting of a bee or wasp have failed, it’s time to consider last resort solutions. Before you try one of these solutions, make sure you have all necessary safety precautions in place: wear gloves and eye protection and ensure that there is no risk of a fire or explosion.
1. Physical Removal You can attempt to remove the stinger from yourself or another person with tweezers or other tools. Be sure to press firmly with a steady motion. Don’t pinch or twist the stinger, as this can cause more of the venom to be injected.
2. Ice Pack If the sting site is on a limb, arm, or leg, apply a cold compress such as a bag of frozen vegetables or an icepack to the affected area for 10 minutes. The goal is to reduce the swelling and pain.
3. Natural Remedies
- Garlic: Apply some diced garlic to the affected area.
- Honey: Apply a thick layer of honey to the affected area.
- Baking Soda: Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to make a paste, then apply to the affected area.
4. Medications
If the pain or swelling is still intense, over the counter or prescriptions medications may be necessary. Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce swelling. Use caution if giving these medications to children.
8. The Final Buzz on Begone Bees
Say goodbye to be gone bees–the buzzing plague of summer is no more! But before they disappear into the night, let’s take a look back at what made these pesky pollinators so…pesky.
- The Swarm: Begone bees quickly gained notoriety for appearing in swarms of up to 10,000 at a time.
- The Sting: Notorious for their vicious barbs, begone bees were known to elude most repellents.
- The Fearsome Flight: Their flaps echoed louder than most, making them synonymous with summer terror.
Yet despite their exterior misgivings, bee populations have seen drastic declines in recent years, with begone bees reportedly among them. The reasons remain unclear, though experts attribute numerous causes including natural weather cycles and human influence.
But as these fearsome flyers flutter off into the night, there may be something to learn from their entire ordeal. After all, begone bees represent a challenge, perhaps to mitigate our own destruction and bring our world ever closer to a healthier future.
As a reminder to you and your family, now is the time to stock up on those scents that bees can’t stand. With a few well-placed smells, you can keep those bees away and enjoy a worry-free summer safe from the sting of their wrath!
