Bees. Buzzing, flying, and often unfortunately stinging. We all know the struggles of trying to keep pesky bees away from our outdoor space, but with the right ingredients, you can easily make a natural bee repellent from home supplies. With this simple tip, you’ll have an easy and effective way of keeping those bees at bay!
1. Crafting a Natural Bee Repellent at Home
Crafting an all-natural bee repellent at home is simple and affordable. There are several natural products you can combine with a base such as dish soap or olive oil to keep the bees away. By following a few easy steps, you can craft a bee repellent that smells and looks great too!
Essential Oils: When trying to craft a natural bee repellent, essential oils are your best bet! Not only are they safe for humans and pets, they also create a smell that bees typically avoid. Examples of essential oils to use in your bee repellent include eucalyptus, lemongrass, thyme, lavender and cinnamon. Mix a few drops of the essential oil concentrations of your choice to your base repellent.
Salt: Salt is another essential component in your bee repelling mixture. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt in 1 cup of lukewarm water, then stir until it is completely dissolved. Again, mix this with your base repellent for maximum effectiveness.
Additional Ingredients: For extra protection against bees, you can add any of these ingredients to your natural repellent:
- White vinegar
- Citrus
- Garlic
- Cayenne pepper
Combine all the ingredients into a spray bottle and you are all set to keep the bees away! Be sure to shake the bottle before each use.
2. An All-Natural Alternative to Store-Bought Pesticide
No one wants to be surrounded by bugs, however not everyone likes to use store-bought pesticides to take care of the problem. Fear not! There are many all-natural alternatives available to help keep pests away and keep your family safe.
One simple solution is to cut up a clove of garlic and put it in a spray bottle. Then fill the bottle with water and sprinkle it around plants and window sills. The garlic spray is a natural repellent and is safe to use indoors or outdoors.
Another way to naturally repel pests is to make your own mixture of essential oils and water. Popular solutions include peppermint, lemon, lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils. Simply mix a few drops of these oils with a cup of water, and put it in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture around window sills, plants, or any other areas where bugs may try to enter.
Finally, mix 2 tablespoons of castile soap with two cups of water and spray directly onto bugs. The soap acts as a barrier and will coat them, preventing them from overpopulating the area.
- Garlic – Cut one clove of garlic, put it in a spray bottle and fill the bottle with water. Then spray around plants and window sills.
- Essential Oils – Mix a few drops of popular essential oils, such as peppermint, lemon, lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils with a cup of water, and put it in a spray bottle. Spray where pests may try to enter.
- Castile Soap – Combine 2 tablespoons of castile soap with two cups of water in a spray bottle and directly spray onto bugs to coat them.
3. Essential Ingredients for a Homemade Bee Repellent
If you’re having trouble getting your bee population to stop buzzing about your home, it’s time to whip up some homemade bee repellent! While the process may seem daunting, all it takes to create a bee-less environment are three essential ingredients.
Lemons – Everyone’s favorite citric fruit is good for more than just mimosas and pie; lemons are an invaluable addition to the homemade bee repellent. Rich in acidic oils and limited concentrations of citral, lemon juice can effectively ward off pesky bees. Plus, the fresh smell of lemon is sure to freshen up your home.
Eucalyptus & Peppermint Oils – If you’re looking for a natural way to repel pesky bees, eucalyptus and peppermint oils are the way to go. Different kinds of bees are attracted to different scents, which makes it essential to produce a scent blend that can work to ward off multiple varieties of bees. Simply combine several drops of eucalyptus and peppermint oil, and your bee repellent will have them all flying away.
Cayenne Pepper – Another key ingredient in homemade bee repellent is cayenne pepper. Not only does the spicy element of the pepper prove to be an effective deterrent against bees, but it also acts as a natural pesticide. Simply mix one teaspoon of cayenne with the above-mentioned ingredients, and let the peppery powers take care of the rest.
With these three essential ingredients, you can whip up a delicious, bee-free environment in no time! Just follow the simple directions above, and you’re sure to be buzzing with joy.
4. Crafting Your DIY Bee Repellent
Making an all-natural bee repellent is a great way to deter pests in your garden without relying on chemicals. Here are the steps on crafting an easy DIY bee repellent.
Gather the Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients in equal parts:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Water
- Dish soap
Mix the Ingredients
Mix together the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until fully blended. For extra strength, consider adding chili powder, ground black pepper, or cinnamon. It’s best to test the repellent on a small area before applying it to larger areas.
Spray the Area
Wherever you wish the bees to stay away, spray the repellent. Reapply every few days or whenever you notice a build-up of bees. Also, remember to reapply after a heavy bout of rain. This all-natural repellent will keep your garden bee-free for quite some time.
5. Taking Precautions to Keep Bees at Bay
When it comes to bees, keeping them at bay is essential for many reasons. Knowing which precautions to take can help to ensure bees stay out of your home and yard. Here are five simple steps to make sure bees stay where they belong.
- Keep food and trash secure: Bees are drawn in by the scent of food and trash, so it’s important to store these away in secure containers. Taking out the garbage and making sure food is not left out or exposed on counters helps to keep bees from getting into the house.
- Remove water sources: Bees are always in search of a water source to hydrate themselves and their colonies. To reduce the chances of an infestation, keep outdoor water sources such as birdbaths and pet dishes empty and covered.
- Clear away vegetation: Planting flowers and shrubs may add beauty to your landscape, but it can also bring bees. Be sure to clear away any overgrown vegetation that may attract buzzing insects. If there is anything that remains, trim it back as much as possible.
- Eliminate all nesting sites: Bees look for places to build their hives and nests, so eliminating any potential nesting sites is key. Look around your yard and house for any holes, cracks, or crevices in walls, trees, and other areas that could provide bees a safe place to build their homes.
- Remove bee infestations immediately: If bees have already created a hive or nest, it should be removed immediately. This is the safest way to remove the bees without risking stings or getting into more trouble. It’s best to call a professional bee removal service for this.
Taking the right steps to keep bees away is important if you want to keep your home and family safe. Using the steps above can help reduce the chances of an infestation and keep bees away from your home and yard.
6. Enjoying the Outdoors with Bee-Free Comfort
Being able to enjoy the wonders of nature without worrying about insect bites has been a much sought-after luxury for centuries. With a little bit of creative planning, it’s now simpler than ever to get outside without sacrificing comfort. Here are 6 tips to make the outdoors bee-bite free.
- Find a safe escape. If the bees seem to be following you, try to find shelter in a nearby building, car, or tree until the swarm passes.
- Protect your skin. Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants to keep bees at bay. Loose-fitting clothes are ideal to protect against potential stings.
- Eat before you go. Eating fragrant foods on the trail may attract bees, so avoid bringing sweet and sugary items on your adventures.
- Watch your surroundings. If it appears that a bee may be flying in your direction, stand perfectly still until it flies away. Moving quickly can make it more likely that the insect will become agitated.
- Choose insect-free trails. To stay as far away from bees as possible, read trail reviews in advance to ensure the path you are taking is bug-free.
- Beware of honey bee hives. Bees often build nests in trees, so be sure to scan the area to identify any beehives before you go.
By following the tips above, you can confidently explore the outdoors without fear of disturbing bee populations. Bees are critical for pollination, and we can all work together to be mindful of their presence and mitigate the possibility of running into them on our adventures.
7. Tips for Making Your Repellent Last Longer
Traditional insect repellents tend to wear off overtime. In order to make sure that you make the most out of your purchase and maintain optimal protection from any potential bug-related health problems, here are a few pointers.
- Choose to use a repellent with natural or synthetic ingredients since it can serve as a barrier to protect against insect bites. Natural products contain ingredients such as essential oils, while synthetic products have chemicals such as DEET.
- Frequent reapplication is a must, especially after sweating or swimming. Reapply the repellent periodically and always follow the instructions provided.
- Before you head out, make sure that you put on protective clothes. This includes long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats since these will prevent bugs from getting to direct contact with your skin.
- Try not to expose the repellent to direct sunlight for too long since it can reduce the effectiveness of the product. Store in a pin, dry and cool area.
Spray application is often more effective compared to lotion or cream since it provides a greater coverage. Be careful when spraying not to get close to your eyes or mouth and avoid using it on broken or sensitive skin.
Lastly, be patient. It’s best to apply the repellent about 20 to 30 minutes before you plan on going outdoors. This doesn’t just give it time to dry but also allows the repellent to activate and provide the necessary level of protection.
8. Making Your Home Bee-Proof for a Greener Summer
Welcome to the warm weather of summer! Enjoying nature during the summer can be enjoyable and fragrant from the blooming flowers and bees. Unfortunately, not all bees will stay outdoors, as some bees may make their way into your home. That’s why you’ll want to make your home bee-proof!
Here are a few tips for a bee-proof home:
- Take care of bee-friendly plants – If you have bee-friendly plants indoors, like lavender or flowering shrubs, make sure that you water them at least once a week. Consider outdoor plants as well to help attract bees to your garden and away from your home.
- Check your vents – A vent can be a prime spot for bees to enter your home. Make sure that your vents are in good condition and sealed properly from the inside.
- Fill in cracks and spaces – Any small opening like cracks and gaps around windowsills or windows can be an entry point for bees. Make sure that you fill in those areas and seal them to prevent any bees from coming in.
- Repair any damage – If your home is in need of some repairs, make sure that you address them right away. Bees can take advantage of any loose or damaged material and that can give them easy access to your home.
- Keep clutter to a minimum – Clutter can gather dust and debris, which are attractive to bees. This is why you should make sure to stay on top of clutter and keep your home clean and tidy.
With these tips in mind, you can make sure that your home will stay bee-proof during the summer. Enjoy the great outdoors while keeping the home bee-free!
Keeping bees away from your home has never been easier! Try adding plant-based scents like peppermint and lemongrass into an all-natural solution and spraying it directly onto their favourite resting spots. Your garden, your patio, and your balcony will be buzz-free in no time!