Summer days should be spent outside enjoying the sunshine and nature, not inside being attacked by bees! Aside from swattting them away or suffering the pain of being stung, there are some simpler and cheaper ways to keep those pesky insects away. Here’s a look at “”, so you can reclaim your outdoor fun this season!
1. A Buzzing Problem: The Need to Repel Bees
Bees, many of which are vital pollinators, exist in some abundance everywhere. Unfortunately, they also love to wander to places humans don’t wish them to be. They are guests that quickly become pests when they uninvitedly enter our gardens, homes, and other outdoor areas like community pools. Even the most kindly-minded bee-lovers might find it necessary to keep them at a distance.
To repel bees, there are a number of over-the-counter products, home remedies, and natural ways to deter them from their target area. Many of these products contain ingredients that bees don’t like, such as:
- Citronella
- Clove oil
- Eucalyptus
- Thyme oil
For those who are chemically-conscious, home-remedies such as brown paper sacks of vinegar, or suspended white plastic bags of water, and more can also help to repel bees from the area. Yet another useful way to repel bees is to wear bright colored clothes and practice careful hand movements in their vicinity. The combination of colors and movement create an alarming effect that scares them away.
Whatever method of bee repellent is chosen, it is important to remember to give the bees their space; for without the bees’ contribution to our planet, we’d be in a precarious position indeed.
2. Unwanted Visitors: What Are Bees Attracted To?
Most bees are attracted by nectar and pollen. Nectar is a sweet liquid found inside flowers that bees collect to make their honey. Pollen is a protein-rich powder found on the anthers of flowers that bees collect for food. Bees are attracted to a variety of flowers, but certain colors, shapes and patterns can be more enticing than others.
The most attractive flowers for bees tend to be those in shades of blue, purple, yellow, and white. Flowers with single petals and daisy-like shapes also tend to be particularly attractive to bees. Flowers with long, thin petals provide better access to nectar and pollen, and the combination of these two factors makes them especially desirable for foraging bees.
In addition to flowers, bees are also attracted to certain types of plants. Trees such as maple, birch, and ash all have flowers that are highly appealing to bees, as do some types of shrubs. Herbs and vegetables such as lavender, mint, and squash all have fragrances that bees find irresistible. Finally, bees are highly attracted to sweet scents, so gardeners can enhance their floral landscapes with sweet-smelling nectar-rich plants.
3. Keep Calm and Bzzz Away: Natural Ways to Repel Bees
Gardening should be a relaxing endeavor – not one full of swelling, stinging and swatting. But, bothersome bees may have other ideas. So, keep calm and use these natural ways to repel bees the next time you feel their buzz.
Citrus Peel. Save lemon, lime and orange peels for later – because they may be right at your fingertips when unwanted bees need to buzz off. The citrus smells repel bees. To make use of this remedy, spread the fruit peels around your garden.
Herbs and Plants. Some plants act as natural repellants for bees around your garden. Plant mint, citronella, lavender and catnip, for instance. Soaking the leaves in water, making a tincture or simply crushing these herbs and plants is also effective for repelling bees.
- Kelly’s Pro-Tip: Place pans of aromatic herbs and plants around your garden as an all-natural deterrent.
- Or, slip a sachet of lavender in your pocket to stay bee-free on the go.
4. It Pays to Be Cheap: Inexpensive Ways to Repel Bees
When dealing with bees, most people’s first reaction is to reach for the bug-killer. However, there are some simple and inexpensive ways to repel them that may have better results.
One method is to use fragrances as a repellent. Bees are naturally attracted to sweet smells, so using strongly-scented products like lavender, cloves, or citronella oil when outdoors may deter them. Strongly-scented plants like mint or eucalyptus can also be planted near windows and outdoor eating areas to keep bees away.
Another possible solution is to use water to scare off bees. If a bee ventures too close, drench it with a stream – this can make it fly away! Similarly, using a hand-held fan or a mister can also be effective in keeping them a safe distance away.
- Fragrances like lavender, cloves and citronella oil
- Strongly-scented plants near windows and eating areas
- Using a stream of water to scare away a bee
- Hand-held fan or mister
With these simple solutions, it’s easy to repel bees without having to break the bank. Just try them out and see which one works for your environment!
5. Sweet Smells: What Scent Keeps Bees Away?
Bees are essential to many ecosystems, but their buzzing and stinging can make them unwelcome in some places. Deterring bees can be tricky, but using smells that don’t agree with them is one way to keep them away. Here are five sweet scents that keep bees buzzing away:
- Lemon and Citrus: Bees don’t like the scent of lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits. An effective way to discourage them is to mix lemon essential oil with water and spray the area. You can also cut up a lemon and place it in the area.
- Mint: Bees are put off the smell of mint and other herbs, such as basil, lavender, and thyme. To discourage them from hanging around, plant a few of these herbs in a flower bed or planter near the area you wish to protect from bees.
- Vanilla: Vanilla is naturally sweet and bees don’t like the smell of it. A great way to use vanilla is to make a spray bottle with one teaspoon of vanilla extract and two cups of water. Then you can spray the area you wish to protect.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a great smell to use to deter bees. You can add a few sticks of cinnamon to water and let it steep for a few hours and then spray the area. Alternatively, you can sprinkle cinnamon near the area or in the flower bed.
- Clove: Clove is another smell that bees don’t like. To use clove, make a spray bottle of clove essential oil mixed with water and spritz the area you wish to protect. You can also sprinkle clove essential oil on cotton balls and place them nearby.
Using scents to keep bees away is a great way to protect your outdoor areas without using any harmful chemicals. With these five sweet smells, you can keep the bees buzzing away!
6. Buzz Off: How To Repel Bees with Homemade Remedies
If you’re looking for a way to naturally repel bees from your backyard, we’ve got you covered. While there may not be a surefire way to keep them away, these homemade remedies have been proven to help you avoid buzzy encounters.
Essential Oil Sprays. Ready to make your own bee repellent? All you need is a cup of water, a tablespoon of dish soap, and 10-15 drops of essential oils such as spearmint, lemon, or eucalyptus. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz it in areas around your property to form a scent barrier that bees will find unpleasant. This is a great, cost-effective way to start your buzz-busting.
Plants and Flowers. Planting certain plants and flowers around your property can not only make your backyard look beautiful, they can also help in deterring bees and other pests. Some of the best ones include mint, lavender, marigolds, and chrysanthemums. The flowers will make your home look inviting for you, and the powerful scents will make it less appealing to bees.
Sticky Traps. Sticky traps can be effective in catching and trapping bees, although they can be messy. Try hanging up some contrasting colors of yellow or white paper plates soaked in a mixture of honey, water, and corn syrup. The bees will be attracted by the plate’s hue and be unable to take off, eventually leading to their ultimate demise.
7. Buzz Free Zone: Commercial Products To Repel Bees
There are several commercial products available to keep bees away from your yard or home. It is important to know that bees are attracted to sweet things, so anything that smells like flowers or a sweet scent might draw them to your home or yard. Fortunately, there are a few products which promise to repel bees and prevent them from settling in your area:
- Bug zappers and fly swatters – Bug zappers and flyswatters may make the bees go away momentarily, but they will often return in a few hours or days. This could be useful if you only want a temporary fix to keep the bees away.
- Mint plants – Planting mint around your home or yard is a good way to repel bees, as they don’t like the smell of mint. This is a great option if you want a natural and nontoxic way to repel bees.
- Citronella candles – Citronella candles are made from natural oils and are known to help repel bees. The smell of the candle is strong enough to repel the bees but not overpowering for people. This is a great solution if you don’t like having to constantly spray pesticides.
- Insect repellents – Insect repellents come in both liquid and aerosol forms, and they have been proven to help repel bees and other insects from your home or yard. This could be a good option if you have an infestation of bees and need something more powerful than a candle.
These commercial products can help keep bees away from your home or yard while providing a nontoxic and safe solution. It is important to remember that the best way to prevent bees from entering your space is to avoid planting flowers or anything that smells sweet; this will help ensure that the bees stay away from your area.
8. Begone Bee: Long-Term Strategies for Avoiding Bees
Sometimes, it’s not enough to just swat away a bee. If a bee — or a whole swarm of them — has been bothering you for a while, try some of these long-term strategies.
Keep Food Covered At All Times: Bees are attracted to food, and if there’s something for them to eat in an area, they’ll keep coming back. If you have outdoor eating space, keep food covered as much as possible and try to clean up spills or residue quickly.
- Keep outdoor trash lids closed and bags of trash tightly sealed.
- Rinse off outdoor tables after eating.
- Open food containers carefully, away from faces and hands.
Maintain Your Garden and Yard: Bees, like many pests, are attracted to clutter. Cut back overgrown shrubs, keep lawns trim, and keep compost piles away from your home. Remove any old stumps or loose wood from the property, since bees live in holes in trees and underground.
- Clean your gutters regularly to make sure there is no debris.
- Keep bird baths empty, especially in the summer when bees need water.
- Make sure to prune roses and other blossoming plants that attract bees.
The warmth of the summer brings many great things to our outdoor experience. While it will bring bees and their buzzing, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer all season. With these simple and cost-friendly tips, you can dress smartly, use certain scents, or even provide a distraction to keep those bees away. Buzz off!
