Is there anything better than a picture-perfect summer day spent outdoors? Well, perhaps with the exception of a pesky bee or two that’s threatening to ruin that idyllic outdoor moment. If you’re looking for a natural and effective solution to your bee problem, look no further. From aromatic herbs to citruses, this article will show you how to make a delicious, totally natural bee repellent to keep the buzz away!
1. Welcome the Friendly Buzz of Bees – Safely
Bees play a vital role in ecosystems around the world, but it can be pretty unnerving to find them buzzing around your home. If you want to welcome the friendly buzz of bees into your backyard safely, there are a few steps you need to follow!
- Choose the Right Flower Varieties: Bees love a variety of different flowers, but they also need pollen and nectar to survive. Planting flowers that provide a good source of food, as well as plenty of colorful blooms, means you’ll not only have happy bees but also a beautiful garden.
- Provide a Water Source: Standing water isn’t the best option for apiaries, so use shallow trays and birdbaths that can overflow. This prevents the water from becoming stagnant, and it offers bees a chance to hydrate without drowning.
- Stay Away: With the right precautions, it’s possible to welcome bees into your garden, but you should still stay away from them. Remember, they’re wild animals, and they might cause injury if they feel threatened or disturbed.
If you want to invite more bees to your garden, don’t use pesticides or other chemicals. Such products will harm bees and other beneficial insects, so it’s best to employ natural methods of pest control. Providing bees with a safe environment is the best way to ensure their health and success!
2. Make Your Own Unique Bee Repellent
Bees can be extremely pesky in the summer, making it hard to relax or hang out outside. If you’re looking for a way to make your own bee repellent in the comfort of your own home, then look no further!
To get started, you’ll need to make a simple solution with some natural ingredients. Begin by mixing equal parts white vinegar and water in a bowl. Next, add a few drops of citronella essential oil. This naturally-occurring oil is often used in many store-bought repellents, as it’s known for its insect-repelling effects.
Now that your solution is made, you will need to transfer it into a spray bottle. Once it’s securely in the bottle, shake it up and the solution will be ready to use. Whenever bees start buzzing around, simply take the spray bottle and give them a few spritzes to ward them off!
- White vinegar
- Water
- Citronella essential oil
- Spray bottle
Our homemade repellent will act as a natural, non-toxic deterrent to bees. Not only will it help keep them away, but it also won’t harm them either. So next time bees start making your backyard their hangout spot, whip up a batch of this do-it-yourself solution and get back to enjoying the outdoors.
3. What Does Bee Repellent Do?
In order to understand what does bee repellent do, the first thing we need to understand is how bees interact with their environment. Bees use a combination of sight, smell, and taste to forage for food and find potential nest sites for their colonies. In some cases, bees can be quite aggressive when searching for resources, which is why many people choose to use a repellent.
Bee repellent works by masking the scent of any potential food sources in the area. By doing this, the bees will be tricked into believing they won’t find what they are looking for nearby. The odorless repellent will also affect their food-foraging and navigation systems, making them temporarily forget any nearby flowers or plants they were aiming for.
Additionally, it can also be used as a physical deterrent to keep bees away from specific areas. This is especially important when trying to protect homes or gardens from being infested by bees. Repellents are applied in liquid form or in granules, which can be spread around the area in question.
Some of the benefits of using a bee repellent are:
- It helps keep bees from entering and damaging your home or garden.
- It masks food scents, which means less honeybee activity in an area.
- It works as a physical barrier, helping to keep bees away from specific areas.
- It makes helpful pollinators avoid areas they may otherwise frequent.
At the end of the day, repellents are a great way to make sure that bees stay away from your property and aren’t a nuisance. While these products are effective, it is important to remember that they should always be used responsibly and according to the instructions given on the label.
4. Natural Ingredients to Repel Bees
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an ancient spice that has been used as a natural bee deterrent. It has a strong scent that is difficult for the bees to tolerate. To use it as a repellent, sprinkle it in areas where you can detect large amounts of bee activity, and dust it around windows and doors. It might just be strong enough to keep pesky bees at bay.
Garlic
Garlic is also a potent weapon when it comes to warding off bees. You can make a spray using garlic and water that you can spray directly onto the animals or the area they are living in. The strong odour of garlic can be extremely unpleasant to bees.
Peppermint Oil
Using peppermint oil is a great way to discourage bees from flying into an area. You can mix 8 ounces of water with 12 drops of oil and spray it directly onto the bees. The smell of the oil will repel them.
Mint Leaves
Mint leaves are popular in many recipes, but they are also useful for repelling bees. Simply sprinkle some dried leaves onto any area where bees might be gathering. The smell of mint leaves won’t necessarily keep the bees away forever, but it will certainly make them buzz off for a while.
5. Essential Oils that Drive Away Bees
If you are looking for essential oils to keep bees away, look no further! We’ve rounded up five of the best oils for just that. You can easily create your own bug repellent spray using these essential oils and a few other ingredients to keep bees at bay.
- Citronella – This herbaceous oil is a great natural insect repellent, especially when mixed in a spray solution. It’s got a sweet, lemony scent, and is one of the best oils for repelling a variety of pests, including bees.
- Peppermint - Peppermint essential oil is a great way to naturally deter bees, as it has an intensely strong scent that drives them away. Its pleasant aroma is also an added bonus!
- Lavender – Lavender is both a gentle and effective bee deterrent. Its sweet scent persuades bees to keep away, and its beautiful lavender flakes makes a great addition to your handmade spray.
- Eucalyptus – An excellent oil for general pest repellent, eucalyptus is also an effective bee repellent. Its strong, camphor-like scent easily drives away bees, and it can also be mixed with other oils to enhance efficacy.
- Clove - Clove essential oil has a very strong aroma that bees can’t stand. This oil is great for creating a DIY bug spray, and its strong scent also makes it an effective mosquito repellent.
If you’re having a bee problem, why not give these essential oils a try? Creating your own bug-repelling spray using one or a combination of these oils will help to keep bees away. Just be sure to dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil such as almond oil or jojoba oil when making a bug repellent spray!
6. Assemble Your Bee Repellent
It’s time to put the pieces together and . Here’s what you’ll need:
- A quart-sized mason jar with the lid
- 2-3 tablespoons of liquid dish soap
- 4-5 crushed cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar
- 2-3 tablespoons of hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon of mineral oil
- 1½ cups of water
Begin by filling the mason jar about ¾ full with water. Then, add the liquid dish soap. Dissolve the cayenne pepper in the vinegar and pour it into the jar. Put the hot sauce and mineral oil into the jar too. Add in the garlic cloves. Finally, top it off with the remaining ½ cup of water. Put the lid on the mason jar and give it a few shakes to mix the mixture together.
Your bee repellent is now ready to use! Place it in a shady area of your garden, near where the bees are congregating. Reapply it every few days or when it begins to rain. Keep in mind that the smell of the repellent can be quite strong, so you may want to place it at a distance from your house. With any luck, this repellent will keep the bees away for the summer season.
7. Begin Enjoying Bug-Free Summers
Summer is the time for fresh air, sun, and long days of outdoor fun. Unfortunately, it’s also prime time for bugs. While these tiny pests can be a nuisance, there are ways to enjoy a bug-free summer.
- Keep pests out of your home. Make sure that screens are in good repair, and keep doors and windows closed when necessary. Inspect for cracks around windows and doors regularly, and use weatherstripping if necessary to make sure bugs are not able to get in.
- Eliminate standing water. Mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks are quickly attracted to areas with standing water. Make sure to clean out the gutters, aerate or cover any pools that aren’t being used, and keep outdoor toys and furniture away from areas where water could accumulate.
- Reduce outdoor lighting. Bugs are attracted to bright lights. If you’re having a night time gathering outdoors, try to replace any bright lighting with softer, less intense options to deter them.
- Get rid of food sources. Fruit flies, wasps, and ants are all attracted to sugary foods. Make sure to store food in tightly sealed containers, and pick up scraps or spills as soon as possible.
Using natural deterrents can also be a successful way to reduce or deter bugs. For instance, citronella candles, peppermint essential oils, and dried bay leaves can help keep away mosquitoes. And, cedar chips can help repel fleas and ticks, just to name a few.
Following these simple steps can help you and your family enjoy a bug-free summer, free from annoying pests and filled with outdoor fun.
8. Protect Bees by Keeping them at a Distance
Bees are essential to our ecosystem, and we must take extra measures to ensure they are protected. It is important to keep a safe distance when in the presence of bees, as disturbing them can disturb their whole hive. Here are some tips for safely enjoying views of bees from a distance:
- Remain Calm: It is vital to remain calm and keep your movements slow and steady when in the presence of bees. Bees react quickly to sudden movements, so you must remain still and collected until the bees pass by.
- Seek Shelter: If you find yourself in a space with bees, quickly but calmly seek shelter. Find the nearest solid structure and remain there until the bees have gone.
- Educate Others: Information is power – sharing facts and educating others on how to safely view and protect bees can be vital for bee conservation. Make sure you can confidently identify the species of bees and the behaviours to look out for.
It is important to remember that bees are vital to our environment, and it is our responsibility to ensure they are protected. Keeping a safe distance will provide you with the opportunity to witness and learn about these fascinating creatures from a secure spot.
Bee-smart and protect yourself from unwanted buzzing! Now that you know how to make your own natural bee repellent, you can smell the sweet sweet fragrance of pollinated plants without having to worry about pesky bees. Keep up your buzzing bee repellent and enjoy the summer months in peace and tranquility!
