Bzzz Off! Tips for Keeping Bees Away From Your Yard

The view from your backyard is probably beautiful – but imagine how much more relaxing it would be without those pesky bees buzzing around! If you’re looking for ways to keep bees at bay, you’ve landed in the right place. Read on for helpful tips on how to keep your backyard your own and bid goodbye to intruding bee populations.

1. Buzz Off: Keep Bees at Bay

Bees may be some of the most beloved insects, but that doesn’t mean that they are always welcomed with open arms. If bees want to buzz around your yard, then you may need to take steps to keep them at bay.

The best way to combat bee infestations is to remove any food sources and habitation from your yard. Make sure to keep garbage bins sealed and away from your home, as this can be an attractive source for foraging bees. Similarly, if there are hollow trees in your yard then it is best to seal off their entrances with some mesh screening.

It is also important to note what plants you have in your garden. Some plant species can act as attractive sources for bees and other insects. Consider planting:

  • Marigolds – These strong smelling flowers are known to ward off all types of small critters including bees.
  • Lavender – Bees will often avoid these beautiful purple flowers.
  • Chrysanthemums – The bright petals of these flowers can lend a cheerful touch to your garden and also ward off bees.

If you are still experiencing an influx of bees, then homeowners can also use bee traps. Bee traps work by using an attractant to lure bees in and a filter to prevent them from getting out. Counterintuitively, this strategy can actually work to contain and reduce the number of bees in the area.

2. A-Bee-titudes: Understanding Bee Behavior

Did you know that bees have a unique set of mindsets and attitudes? You can think of them as having “A-bee-titudes”! Here’s what to keep in mind when understanding their behavior:

  • Prototype Pollinating Patterns: Bees have an almost instinctual method of pollinating have adapted as far back as the Stone Age. These patterns they learn from their environment allow them to efficiently complete their main task: harvesting pollen.
  • Transmission of Vital Knowledge: Bees propagate essential information between generations of their colonies. Knowledge of critical foraging and hive-running practices, like discovering ways to generate and retain heat in the winter, are important pieces of information they don’t want to forget.

When it comes to cooperation and communication, bees rely heavily on gathering information from their colony mates. In order to do this, they practice one of the most overlooked communication pathways: dancing! By shaking their booty in specific ways, they relay useful information to their hive mates.

Beyond mere information dissemination, bees also foster strong emotional connections with their hive mates through hug-like pheromones exchanges and individual facial recognition. The way bees interact with each other has amazed humanity for centuries and is extremely one of the most interesting parts of understanding bee behavior.

3. Plant Smarter: Attracting Bees vs Repulsion

Bees play an important role in the ecosystem as they are the world’s biggest pollinators, so any garden is sure to benefit from welcoming these bushy-tailed helpers. If you want to attract bees, there are some steps you can take. Consider these tips and tricks to create an inviting spot for the honey-lovers!

  • Plant wildflowers – Bees prefer a variety of wildflowers over individual species of flowers.
  • Freshen up your soil – Healthy soil and composted material will attract more bees than soil that is depleted.
  • Direct the sun – The majority of bee species prefer warm climates, so if your garden isn’t already receiving a lot of sun find a way to direct it there.

But, there are also ways that you can repel the buzzing population from your garden. Not all bees are welcomed and you may find that some are even causing damage to the crops you’ve been growing. If you want an effective solution to your bee problems, try out these suggestions!

  • Deterrent scents – Certain smells may discourage bees from entering your garden. Scents like spearmint, citronella, and eucalyptus have been found to be unappealing to bees.
  • Keep it clean – As gardeners, it’s important to take care of it, but ensuring that your space is kept clean and clear of debris may help deter any pesky bees.
  • Order barriers – If you’re looking for a more long-term solution you can order various types of barriers specifically designed to keep bees away.

Planting smarter with bees in mind can help you avoid any unwanted guests while also ensuring you’re doing your part to help maintain the health and longevity of our environment.

4. Garb the Garden: Clothe Your Yard in Bee Repellants

If you’re looking for ways to protect your garden from pesky bees, there are some things you can do to keep them away. Here are four surefire approaches to help you garb the garden:

  1. Utilize Insect-Repellent Herbs: Planting insect-repellent herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary, lavender, bee balm, or mint around the perimeter of your garden can help fortify it against the attacks of bees.
  2. Spritz with Vinegar: You can also keep bees at bay by regularly spraying a mixture of vinegar and water around the garden.
  3. Plant Some Catnip: Bees tend to steer clear of the clumpy, fragrant flowers of catnip. Try planting this wonder herb around the edges of your garden.
  4. Attach Wind Chimes: Bees don’t like noise, so if you hang some wind chimes around the area, you can create an anti-bee sound barrier and keep them away!

Protecting your garden from bees doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Be sure to give these tips a try and save your garden from a buzzworthy invasion.

5. Sweet Smells: Scent-sational Bee Deterrents

Are bees a common nuisance around your home or garden? Look no further! Here we discuss five sweet-smelling deterrents to keep bees away for good.

Essential Oils

Essential oils like tea tree, peppermint, and citronella oils can act as potent repellents due to their strong aromatic smells. To use, mix two cups of water to five-ten drops of essential oil. Add the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz the mixture around areas where bees are likely to gather.

Lavender

The smell of lavender surrounded areas helps to alleviates stress and especially keep bees away. Try planting lavender in the garden or keep lavender infused sachets with you on the go. Bonus points if you also utilize lavender essential oil to make the scent even more intense.

Fruits & Vegetables

Placing fruits and vegetables in open areas can also help keep bees away. Examples can include:

  • Cut Lemons
  • Apple Slices
  • Orange Peel
  • Overripe Tomatoes

The fruit’s smell will help repel bees, but do remember to frequently replace or dispose of the fruits as they can attract other pesky bugs over time.

6. A Hives-Eye View: Identifying & Removing Bee Hives

When it comes to bee hives, it’s best to identify them and take action as soon as possible. The longer you wait to deal with a bee hive, the worse the situation can become and the harder it may be to remove the hive. Here’s what you need to know about identifying and removing bee hives.

  • Identifying Bee Hives – The first step in getting rid of a bee hive is to identify whether or not you have one. Look for signs such as:
    • A large number of bees congregating in the same area
    • The presence of large honeycomb clusters
    • abnormal noises coming from the suspected area
  • Removing Bee Hives – After you’ve identified the bee hive, it’s time to take action. The most effective way to remove a bee hive is to hire a professional pest control service. They have the tools and knowledge to safely remove the hive without causing harm to the bees. You may also be able to remove it yourself if you take the proper precautions such as wearing protective clothing and using sprays or smoke to disperse the bees.

No matter what you do, it’s important to act quickly to make sure any bee hives on your property are removed. Otherwise, the hive can quickly reproduce and the problem can become even worse. Be sure to use the right methods to ensure that the bee hive is safely removed and the bees are not harmed.

7. Get Creative: DIY Bee Busters

Do you want to help keep pests away from your garden? Put your knack for creativity to the test and make your own bee busting devices! This is a great way to make sure your garden is safe from buzzing intruders:

  • Make a bee brush. All you need is a long and strong stick (make sure it’s about four feet in length!), a soft cloth, and some strong string. Securely tie the cloth onto the end of the stick and tug it tight. You’ve successfully made yourself a DIY bee brush – perfect for swatting away pesky bees that fly too close to your beloved garden!
  • Create a bee repellent cloth. Gather some supplies, such as essential oils, white vinegar, and rubbing alcohol. Pick your favorite essential oils and mix it with the other ingredients. Take some cloth (perhaps an old shirt or cotton towel) and soak it in the solution. Hang it up in the garden and watch the bees flee!
  • Make a DIY bee catcher. Find an old jar and drill a few small holes into it. Put a few pieces of ripe fruit inside – bees will be drawn to its sweet smell. Cover the opening with a thick net and watch the bees fly in! Once a bee enters, it won’t be able to make its way out, making your DIY bee catcher an effective device for keeping your garden pest-free.

These are just some easy DIY projects that you can use to keep bees away from your garden. However, you can also get creative and invent your own ways to protect your garden from pesky things! Who knows, you may have invented the next greatest bee repellent device!

8. Call in the Pros: The Last Resort

In the world of DIY home repairs, knowing the limits of your own skill-set is essential. When you’ve reached the end of your rope, there’s no shame in admitting that it might time to call in some extra help. This is your last resort- but it’s also your best chance for returning your chaos to order.

Good Reasons to Call a Professional:

  • They’re trained experts. Professionals have the experience and training to get any job done with the least amount of fuss.
  • They’ll save you time. You’ve already invested enough of your effort, why waste more? A pro will come in and get the job done quicker.
  • Safeguarding your safety. Some jobs involve a certain degree of risk, best left to someone who knows what they’re doing.

No task is too big or too complicated for a professional. From plumbing to HVAC repair, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing your job will be completed correctly the first time. And, if you shop around a bit, you’re likely to find great prices for quality service. After all, no one wants to over pay.

When you’ve exhausted the limits of your own skill-set, you can always rely on the professionals. From start to finish, they will guide you through the entire process. Then its just a matter of enjoying the rewards of their hard work.

If bees have you feeling like you’re living in a “hive” of activity, then keep calm and “bzzz” off! With a few simple tips, you can keep your yard free from bee interference for a more peaceful outdoor experience.