It’s summertime, and that means bees are buzzing around and looking for a tasty treat. But if you have a garden that you don’t want to share with the bees, you might be wondering how to keep them away. Read on to learn all the 411 on how to keep bees away from your yard!
1. Buzz Off: Evading Pesky Bees from Your Garden
Bees are one of nature’s most essential species, yet they can become a nuisance for gardeners. When bees invade your garden, you need to know how to buzz them off. Here’s how:
- Clean up. Keeping your garden neat and free of attractive sources of food helps deter bees. Empty fallen fruit, remove trash and debris, and clean your birdbath or feeders regularly.
- Invest in plants. Marigolds, geraniums, and petunias are all flowers that emit aggressive scents and deter bees.
- Go organic. Sprinkling a barrier of organic insect dust around the perimeter of your garden can help reduce bee activity. Re-apply to keep the barrier effective.
Knowing a few simple tricks can help keep bees away from your garden and leave your plants healthy and thriving. Plus, you won’t have to worry about being stung.
2. It’s a Bee’s World Out There – But Not in Your Backyard
As far as backyard visitors go, bees are certainly among the most welcome. Their melodic buzzing and industrious search for food brightens any garden. But though these busy little fellows are a joy to watch, they rarely stick around for long.
- Bees have to fly miles in their search for food and pollen
- Urbanization has reduced the number of places they can feed
- Lack of natural habitat also makes it harder for them to survive
A large part of the bee population has been in decline in recent years. Factors such as the destruction of natural habitat, exposure to pesticides, and changing climates, all contribute to their dwindling numbers. As if this weren’t disheartening enough, studies show that the number of bee species has also decreased significantly in recent years.
The good news is, all of this doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t ever see a bee in your backyard again. Small, individual changes can make a big difference. Planting wildflowers, avoiding the use of pesticides, and providing sheltered areas for nesting can help to attract bees and bring them back in droves.
3. Low-Maintenance Tips for Steeringe Bees Away from Home
Keeping bees away from home is not as difficult as it might seem. Here are some low-maintenance tips to keep bees out of your way.
Be careful with flowers
- Remove brightly-colored, nectar-rich flowers from your garden and any containers near your door.
- Group orchids and daisies together in parts of your garden that are out of reach from windows and doors.
- Water plants in the morning or late in the afternoon when bees don’t usually come out to visit.
Tidy up regularly
- Make sure your outdoor trash bins are secure and lidless – bees can get easily attracted to the smell of rotting food.
- Keep things clean and clutter-free to discourage bees to make their nests. This includes areas such as the eaves of your house, tree branches, outdoor furniture, compost, and your garden shed.
- Once in a while, check underneath any outdoor furniture and empty out any debris.
Use natural pest repellents
- Bees are naturally repelled by the fragrances of certain herbs and spices. Plant eucalyptus, lavender, and thyme near your doors and windows.
- Mix up a homemade pest-spray to spray around the edges of your home – a mixture of peppermint oil, dish soap, and water will do the job.
- Place a few bee traps around your garden or near windows and doors for an efficient and humane way to catch and remove bees.
Low-maintenance tips for keeping bees away from home require a bit of effort but could save you and your family from serious bee stings and other problems. Follow these simple tips for an easy and effective way to keep your home bee-free.
4. Clever Hacks for Bee-Proofing Your Yard
It’s no secret that bees can be pesky pests when they meddle in our outdoor areas. But before you reach for the bug spray, consider these clever hacks that can help you bee-proof your yard without harming any of our pollinating friends:
- Provide pollinators with alternative sources of food. Plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables that are high in nectar and pollen. If possible, group flowers of similar colors together for maximum visiting potential!
- Consider installing a bee house to provide them with a sheltered home. This can help keep them out of your vegetable garden or off of your outdoor furniture.
- Attract beneficial predators, such as dragonflies, which can help keep bees away from your outdoor oasis.
These simple techniques can make a big difference when it comes to bee-proofing your yard. And no matter what, be sure to take the necessary precautions to avoid bee stings. Wear protective clothing and stay alert when outdoors to help keep everyone safe.
5. Plant ‘Bee-deterrent’ Flowers to Keep Pests Away
The arrival of summer brings more than just sunshine – it also brings pests! But there’s no need to start stockpiling pesticides. Believe it or not, many flowers come with their own built-in pest deterrents! Here are five of the top ‘bee-deterrent’ flowers you should consider planting this summer.
- Calendula – Also known as Pot Marigold, this cheerful flower helps repel whiteflies, aphids and tomato worms.
- Lavender – Not only will its heady aroma infuse your outdoor space with a pleasant scent; it’s also known to ward off peas weevils, cabbage moths, bean beetles and squash pests.
- Chrysanthemum – Not just for show, this festive fall flower is great for keeping aphids, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, and thrips at bay.
- Catmint – This warm-season favorite is a must-have if you want to keep ants and fleas away from your home.
- Geranium – This hard-working annual repels cabbage moths, corn rootworms and aphids.
Don’t forget to give your bees a sweet treat! A few packets of wildflower seeds will help keep them coming back to your garden. Plus, you’re sure to have a colorful summer landscape that’s free of pesky pests.
Finally, rotating your seasonal flowers each year will give your space a fresh look, not to mention keep it clear of pesky insects.
6. Clever Tricks for Keeping Bee-Hives Far Away
Want to keep your bee-hives from getting too close to your beekeeper? Here are six clever tricks that you can use:
- Create a physical barrier between your bee-hives and your beekeeper. Surrounding your beekeeping setup with a fence made of mesh or wooden boards can help keep your bee-hives away from your beekeeper.
- Install a bee-trap. A bee-trap is a device that is inserted into an area that is bee-free but also within a certain distance of bee-hives. When a bee tries to enter that area, the trap captures the bee and pushes it back into the bee-hive.
- Monitor the area for any roaming bees. If you notice any bees that seem to be hanging around your beekeeper, try to chase them away if possible, or move the bee-hives further away.
- Install a protective net or board around the bee-hives. This will help to keep bees from entering the area in which your beekeeper works.
- Use scents to deter bees. Scents like cloves, eucalyptus, and mint can be used to keep bees away from your beekeeper’s area.
- Provide extra food for the bees. By giving your bee-hives an extra source of food, the bees will be less likely to go near your beekeeper.
By using these clever tricks, you can keep your bee-hives farther away from your beekeeper, keeping them out of harm’s way.
7. Uncrackable Remedies to Avoid Getting Buzzed Off
The days of getting buzzed off and feeling horrible the next morning are behind you. Here are 7 remedies to keep you from ever having to worry about those awful hangover days again.
- Drink Plenty of Water – Hydrating before, during, and after a night of drinking helps prevent a hangover. Your body needs water to filter out alcohol toxins so it’s best to drink throughout the night while you are drinking.
- Eat Before You Drink – Alcohol affects your body more harshly if you drink on an empty stomach. Eating food helps slow down the absorption rate of alcohol, keeping its effects at bay.
- Stick to Clear Alcohols – Darker alcohols contain more impurities which can increase the toxins in the bloodstream and the severity of a hangover. Stick to clear alcohols such as vodka, white wine and gin.
- Get Enough Sleep – Sleeping helps the body recover faster from a night of drinking. Aim to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep after a night of drinking to ensure that you are rested and prepared for the morning.
These tips can help you avoid getting buzzed off and feeling horrible the next morning. If you use them religiously, you can enjoy your nightlife without letting it affect your day-to-day life.
If you’re having a few drinks, be sure to select quality over quantity. It’s better to have a few drinks and be in control rather than overcrowding the system with too much alcohol and having to face the hangover consequences.
8. Unforgettable Tips for Achieving a Bee-Free Haven
Protect Your Home from Digging Bees
When it comes to keeping your haven bee-free, prevention is absolutely key. To stop bees from making a home in your lawn or garden, make sure they have nowhere to dig and nest. Fill gaps in walls and around doors and windows with sealant. Turn over large containers in your yard and fill the bottom with soil so that they can’t be upturned and turned into a beehive.
Keep Plants Closely Trimmed
Not only will keeping your plants nicely pared back provide them with ample air and light, it will also mitigate the chances of a bee turning those plants into a colony! Make sure to prune both bushes and trees to your desired shape and size to reduce the risk of a bee making a home there.
Use Repellents
Having a plan B is always a good idea in the world of prevention. If you notice bees buzzing around your home, try using a variety of repellents both inside and outside your dwelling. For outside use, opt for natural essential oils like citronella and tea tree oil, or try sticky strips and traps. Inside, use a combination of orange peels and mint leaves, or a store-bought bee repellant spray.
Call An Expert
When you’re up against an infestation, hiring an expert is always a good idea. An experienced and knowledgeable beekeeper can quickly unearth and remove any pesky bee colonies and hives. Plus, they’ll be able to give you plenty of guidance on how to ensure the bees don’t return.
Phew! Now your yard is bee-free and your summer snoozing is secure. Keep these tips in mind and don’t forget to, well, buzz off!
