Do you want to know how to keep bees away from your outdoor area without using chemicals or sprays? If you are a bee lover, you know that keeping your family and friends safe around bees is a priority. Read on to discover some natural solutions to keep bees at bay in your own backyard.
1. Buzz Off! Keeping Bees at Bay with Natural Solutions
Although it’s important to respect the many contributions bees make to our world, it’s understandable that you may not want them to get too comfortable around your home. Here are some natural solutions to help you keep bees at bay:
- Keep your property free of sources of food or water for bees, such as open containers, standing water, or sources of sugar.
- Avoid wearing colors that attract bees, such as yellow, orange, or white.
- Natural commercial bee repellents and decoys may be used but often must be applied consistently for maximum effectiveness.
- Plant herbs and flowers with scents bees don’t like, such as chrysanthemums, citronella, lavender, peppermint, spearmint and lemon balm. Marigolds also produce a smell bees don’t enjoy.
A Smoky Solution
Smoke can also be a highly effective bee deterrent. Be sure to contain the smoke area clozely to ensure its effectiveness.
You can create a bee-deterring smoke by burning specific herbs in a fire, such as rosemary, mint, bay leaves, sage, and thyme. Burning coriander and garlic may also help get rid of bees!
Finally, combine any or all of these solutions and practice them consistently to create an environment that won’t be too inviting to bees.
2. The Benefits of Natural Bee Deterrents
When it comes to removing bees from an area, natural bee deterrents are often the best option. Here are some of the benefits they offer:
- Safety – Natural bee deterrents never pose a risk to humans or nearby wildlife. They are non-toxic, so no one needs to worry about coming into contact with harmful chemicals.
- Cost Savings – Choosing natural bee deterrents will likely save you money in the long run. Insecticides, for example, can be expensive and often require reapplication in order to maintain their effectiveness.
- Long-Term Results – Natural bee deterrents are more effective at breaking the bee’s cycle of attraction to an area; meaning fewer bees return to bother you in the future.
Since natural bee deterrents do not carry the same risks as insecticides or chemical repellents, they are the preferred method of bee removal. They provide a safe, cost-effective, and long-term solution. With this in mind, it is easy to see why they are becoming more popular as time goes on.
Keeping these benefits in mind, it is worth giving natural bee deterrents a try. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results!
3. Botanical Adaptations for Bee Removal
When faced with a bee infestation, many homeowners are unsure of how to properly control the problem without taking drastic measures that could hurt the local ecosystem. Thankfully, there exist a number of botanical adaptations that can be utilized to naturally remove bees from one’s home in a humane and eco-friendly way.
One adaptation is the use of eucalyptus. This plant can be sprayed directly into the bee’s hive, and the distinctive pungent scent will drive the bees out. It is also possible to hang freshly-cut eucalyptus leaves around the bee’s entry points into the home, as a physical barrier
- Lavender is effective for treating bee stings, calming down the bees and driving them away from the area.
- Citrus fruits, especially orange and lemon, can be used in much the same manner as the eucalyptus.
A third adaptation is the use of herbs. Strong-smelling herbs, most notably Sage and Mint can provide a strong deterrent against bees. It is important to use freshly-cut herbs for maximum effect. Finally, a combination of these methods can be used to ensure that bees are removed from the general vicinity quickly and safely.
4. Ideas for Domestic Bee Repellents
1. Horticultural Oil Sprays
Horticultural oil sprays are a great way to keep bees away from your home. These sprays work well because they form a physical barrier between the bees and your home. They also don’t have any noxious odors, so you don’t have to worry about any unpleasant smells. Be sure to use a pesticide-free horticultural spray to ensure your home is not affected by damaging toxins.
2. Knockdown Sprays
Knockdown sprays are designed to repel bees rather than kill them. They work by producing an irritant that causes bees to become disoriented and wander off. This is a good option if you don’t want to kill any bees but still want to keep them away from your home. Be sure to apply the repellent on a regular basis to keep the bees away.
3. Natural Remedies
If you’re looking for a more natural way to keep bees away from your home, there are several natural remedies that can be used. These include:
- Eucalyptus oil
- Citronella oil
- Garlic
- Mint
- Cayenne pepper
These natural remedies can be applied directly to areas of your home where bees are likely to enter or they can be mixed with water and sprayed around the home. Be sure to reapply the natural remedies every couple of weeks for best results.
4. Electronic Repellents
If you’re looking for a more modern way to keep bees away from your home, you can try using an electronic repellent. These devices work by emitting ultrasonic frequencies that are designed to keep bees away from certain areas. Look for a device that is designed specifically to repel bees, as some devices may not be as effective against them.
5. Strategies for Retaining Bees in Their Natual Habitat
Bees play an essential role in sustaining the sustainability of our natural environment. The following strategies are integral for safeguarding and encouraging them to stay in their natural habitats.
Planting Wide Variety of Flowers
Planting diverse varieties of bee-friendly plants like clover and lavender is an essential part of having a colony of bees remain in their natural habitat. This strategy helps to provide an adequate source of food that helps to ensure the bees’ survival. Furthermore, a wide selection of flowers offers bees a plentitude of colors to choose from to make the nectar they need.
Pesticide-Free Environment
Another key factor to consider is creating a pleasant, pesticide-free environment for bees. As bees travel miles away in search of food, they may come in contact with chemically treated lands. This is counterintuitive to supporting their natural habitat and should be avoided. Implementing pesticide-free and organic environments serves to guarantee that bees can find nutritious food sources that homeostatically benefits their population growth.
Building Bee Houses
Having a bee house is a great way to make bees feel welcome and more likely to remain in their natural habitat. Building one is easy and requires household items such as paper tubes, thatch, and other materials. Bee houses are an ideal shelter for solitary bees looking for a safe and protected place to enter. They prove to be a great resource for bees attempting to maintain their safehaven.
6. Aromatic Oils & Blends to Keep Bees Away
Aromatic oils and blends can be an effective way to keep bees away, without posing any harm to the environment or the bees themselves. Here are some useful scents to try that can serve as a deterrent for bees:
- Citronella oil – this is a lemon-scented oil that not only works to keep bees away, but it can also be used to ward off mosquitos as well.
- Rosemary oil – the herbaceous scent of Rosemary oil is a great natural repellent for bees.
- Eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil – these oils have quite a strong scent, which can make bees think twice about getting too close.
You can also create your own blend by combining various essential oils together to modify the scent. If you’re looking for a stronger effect, try adding lavender or lemongrass oil to your blend. Alternatively, you can buy citronella candles or sprays that already contain some of these additives.
Mix a few drops of your chosen oil blend with some water, and spray it around the areas where you don’t want bees buzzing around. Make sure to reapply the mixture occasionally if you want it to remain effective.
7. Planting Tips for Creating Bee-free Zones
1. Do Not Plant Flowers that Attract Bees: One of the simplest ways to create a bee-free zone is by choosing plants that do not attract bees. Plant species that do not necessarily have a lot of nectar or pollen. These include shrubs, small trees, ornamental grasses, succulents, and other low-maintenance plants. It pays to know what types of flowers attract bees and which do not.
2. Install a Bee Hive Barrier: If your bee-free zone is not large enough to reduce the bee traffic, then it may be necessary to install a bee hive barrier. This is a physical barrier that can be erected to prevent bees from entering a certain area. The type of barrier that is most effective depends upon the type of bees that are common in the area.
3. Remove Existing Bee Nests: If your plan is to completely rid your garden of all existing bees nests, then you will have to do more than simply planting certain flowers. Existing bee nests should be safely removed using special tools and knowledge of bee removal methods. If the nest is too large or complex to safely remove, you may have to seek professional assistance.
4. Eliminate Food Sources: Bees feed on many things, including certain plants and even sugary substances. Eliminating any kinds of food sources that can attract bees is an important part of creating a bee-free zone. Plant fewer flowering plants, and clean up spilled sugary liquids like soda, honey, or syrup. Also, make sure to seal up any open garbage cans that contain sugary substances.
8. Bee Protective Equipment & Gear to Consider
When beekeeping, it’s important to stay safe and take appropriate safety precautions. Along with knowing the basics of bee behavior, wearing protective beekeeper clothing, and having the right equipment, you’ll also need to consider certain gear for extra protection.
The first and most important piece of protective equipment is a beekeeping suit. This should include a hat, a veil, and thick clothing like coveralls, even during your most mild-weather outings. The long sleeves and thick fabric will help protect your skin from stings. You’ll also need to use gloves to keep your fingers safe from stings.
Here’s some additional bee protective gear to consider:
- Bee Smoker
- Beekeeping Tools
- Protective Glasses
- Foraging Suit
- Hive Tool
- Wasp Repellent
A bee smoker is used to help calm bees and is an essential tool for beekeepers. Look for one that is made from heavy-duty material that won’t overheat. Beekeeping tools such as an uncapping knife, honey hive frames and hive tool will help you with all your beekeeping tasks. To protect your eyes when working with bees, use protective glasses that give you a clear view without having to worry about bees flying into your eyes.
For a less intense beekeeping situation, a foraging suit can come in handy, as it is made from lightweight material and is more breathable than a beekeeper suit. Finally, the hive tool is a handy tool for opening the hive and cleaning it out in between seasons. Finally, you may want to invest in some wasp repellent as well, just to be extra sure to stay safe while beekeeping.
Tired of dealing with bees constantly ruining your outdoor activities? The natural solutions above provide easy and effective ways to keep bees away without having to resort to harsh chemical sprays. Give these suggestions a try – you may be surprised by the results and your newfound ability to coexist in peace with local bees!
