As summer approaches, you may find yourself swatting away pesky bees that buzz around your outdoor gatherings. But did you know that there are some simple and affordable ways to keep the bees away? Read on for some tips on how to enjoy your outdoor space without the buzz of bees!
1. Buzzing In: The Importance of Keeping Bees Away
Finding ways to keep buzzing bees away is an important step for many with allergies or other sensitivities to bee stings. And for those who aren’t allergic, the constant buzz of bees can be an uncomfortable nuisance. Here are some simple tips to help you keep those pesky bees at bay:
- Make friends with ant control: Ants and bees often share the same outdoor spaces, so controlling ant populations can keep bees away – as well as help to reduce the environment that attracts the two.
- Keep your food and drinks sealed: Bees are attracted to sweet smells – things like sugary sodas, candy, and sweet sauces. By keeping those foods sealed up when they’re outside, you’ll be reducing a bee’s ability to find them.
- Increase airflow: By opening windows or adding fans in outdoor spaces, you’ll be rewarding yourself with natural fly repellent that can gently move bees along, rather than allowing them to become comfortable in an area.
Overall, bees aren’t bad for you, and if kept at a distance they can be an asset to your garden or outdoor space. But if swarms or individual bees become a problem, these steps can help keep them at a safe distance.
If bees become an overwhelmingly large issue, consider getting in touch with a pest control service. They can help you get a handle on your bee problem and help you enjoy your outdoor space without the fear of an unexpected sting!
2. Knowing the Enemy: Important Facts on Bees
Bees: True Heroes of the Wilderness
These little striped tigers of the sky have a body that works harder than most. They are arguably the most important pollinators on the planet, accounting for 80% of all pollination worldwide. But far from being simple pollinators, bees act as vital guardians of our ecosystem, and their absence would be devastating.
- Bees have 5 eyes
- They can travel as far as 6 miles from the hive in search of nectar and pollen
- An average bee will make 11 trips per day
Bees have become a symbol of anxiety in recent years due to their declining population due to various factors including pesticides, disease, and human disruption of habitats. While the impact of these has been hard to measure, what has been apparent is the incredible loss in the diversity of both honey bees and wild bees.
The loss of bee diversity isn’t only an ecological crisis – it has a huge impact on our food systems too. It is estimated that one out of every three bites of food we take is a direct result of bee’s pollination, and about 90% of the wild plants that feed animals rely on bees. Without them, the global food system would collapse.
The fight to save our bees is an urgent one which requires effort that cuts across all levels of society, from conferences and initiatives to everyday garden habits. It is our responsibility to make sure to keep our environment safe for the bees, and in turn ensure that our planet continue to flourish.
3. A Sting of Solutions: Simple and Affordable Steps to Bee Control
Depending on the type of bee infestation, there are simple and affordable solutions that can be used to ward off unwanted visitors and save your sanity.
Homemade Solutions
- Use a garlic spray- a simple solution of water and garlic which can be sprayed around the premises to provide an odor that bees don’t like.
- Create a bee bath- Create a shallow dish of water with pebbles or stones situated nearby so that the bees can enjoy a bath that’s far away from your home.
In addition to these two simple tricks, there are a few other solutions that may be worth considering. For example, having a professional inspect the area is one way to identify the type of bee present, assess potential damage to the home or business, and determine whether or not the infestation requires more significant intervention.
Chemical Solutions
- Herbicides and insecticides- These types of chemical solutions can be used to eradicate bees from a given area, but it should be used with caution and only if absolutely necessary.
- Natural repellents- Natural repellents such as cedar oil or peppermint oil can be highly effective in controlling bee populations, as their scent tends to be very unappealing to bees.
For those looking for a more permanent solution, there are also products on the market specifically designed for bee control such as bee traps, bee baits, and bee fences. These products can often be installed with minimal effort and can help manage bee populations over time.
4. Keeping the Hive at Bay: Natural and Environmentally Friendly Traps
Keeping the hive under control can be a tricky task, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of natural and environmentally friendly traps that can help keep your hive safe and prevent unwanted pests from entering your space. Read on to discover the best traps to get the job done:
Attractants: Doing a deep clean of your hive and using attractants can effectively lure unwanted critters away, without the use of chemicals or pesticides. Some great attractants are sugary substances such as banana and honey, and essential oils such as lavender or eucalyptus.
Barriers: Set up barriers to shield the hive from unwanted pests. These can include small fences, wooden boards, and plastic sheeting. You can also construct screen and door systems that keep out larger critters.
Alternate Sources: There are many natural traps available that can provide alternate sources of food for bees and other pests and keep them away from the hive. Some effective traps include:
- Hanging buckets of water. This can help keep away wasps, ants, and other insects that come to the hive seeking food and water.
- Sunflower seeds. They can attract hungry bees and help draw them away from the hive.
- Bee houses. This is a great option for helping to relocate bees away from the hive and keep them safe and sound.
Using these techniques, you can have an effective, natural solution for keeping bees and other pests from disturbing your hive. With a bit of ingenuity and some careful planning, you can protect your hive without the need for harmful chemicals or pesticides.
5. “Bee” Prepared: Stocking Up On Essential Bee Control Supplies
It is impossible to avoid bees if you own a home or property that is in bloom. Therefore, it is best to be proactive about keeping them away. These essential supplies are what you need to help combat the bees that are invading your outdoor space:
- Bee traps: An effective way to trap and remove bees from your property.
- Insecticides: An easy and effective solution for getting rid of bees in and around your property.
- Bee-repellent plants: Planting these in your yard can help to deter bees from visiting and nesting.
- Bee repellents: Sprays and other repellents help to make a safe space for outdoor activities while keeping bee at bay.
All of these supplies can help to keep bees away from your property for the long term. Bee traps are particularly effective, as they can capture up to ten bees at once, making them a great choice for larger properties. As with any sort of pest control, it is important to use the necessary safety precautions, such as wearing protective clothing and equipment when dealing with live bees.
Insecticides are easy to use and are safe to use when handled properly. They work by targeting the bugs themselves and will kill them on contact. Natural bee repellents, such as bee-repellent plants, are a great way to keep bees away for good and are environmentally friendly. Finally, bee repellents can help to keep bees away and can help to deter them from coming back.
6. Sweet Protection: Strategies For Keeping Your Property Bee-Free
Bee populations have been declining across the world - and it’s a worrying trend. But they can still pose a serious threat to your property, particularly when they nest in or near your living or working space. Thankfully, there are some strategies you can use to prevent, and manage, any bee-related issues.
Proactive Prevention
The key here is to limit the potential for bees to establish colonies near your property. You can do this by:
- Clearing away any possible nesting sites, such as gardens and hedges.
- Limiting any sources of water around the property, like puddles.
- Reducing any sources of food, like fresh fruits or sugary liquids.
- Covering any holes or cracks on walls – inside or outside – that could provide access to the property.
Discouraging Activity
You can use certain methods to make the property less attractive to bees, especially if you have a colony that’s taken root around your home. Consider investing in:
- Bee-repelling scents, like camphor, eucalyptus, and peppermint.
- Bee-repelling plants, like marigolds, rosemary, and lavender.
- Bee traps – for when bees have already established a presence.
Additional Measures
Depending on the severity of the bee threat, there are measures you can take such as sealing any entrances they might be using, bringing in pest control, or even calling in professional bee keepers in extreme situations. Be sure to contact a local professional for advice first if you think the problem might be too big for you to handle.
7. A Peaceful ‘Buzz’: Calm and Tolerant Interactions with Bees
When it comes to most bee species, a peaceful and respectful relationship is key to successful interactions. That’s why, if you’re looking to begin exploring the world of beekeeping, you need to know the basics of keeping both yourself and the bees safe.
- First and foremost, always approach bees with caution. If you startle a bee colony, they may become agitated and may retaliate with a sting.
- Don’t make any sudden movements near a beehive. Bees may interpret these as a threat and act accordingly.
- When wearing a protective suit, go slow and be mindful of your movements.
Stay mindful of your own body language, too. Animations, gestures, and body positions can be interpreted as aggression or fear. A confident, yet unthreatening attitude when interacting with bee colonies can keep your experience stress-free.
When it comes to preventing stings, prevention is the best medicine. Regularly inspect your hives and look for signs of disease, overheating, moisture, or pests. Make sure all exposed food sources don’t attract unwanted intruder bees, and protect your hives from rain and storms. Doing all of this can help keep your bee colonies healthy and content—which inevitably leads to fewer stings!
8. Taking Flight: Easy Clean-Up Tips After Bee Repellent is Applied
After applying bee repellent, you should take next steps to ensure the bees stay away and your space is safe from infestation. Here are eight easy clean-up tips to help take flight from any additional danger:
- Once bees are repelled, be sure to move any flowers, plants and trees that were near the area.
- Clean the surface of the bee repellent with soapy water. This isn’t required, but it helps ensure there aren’t any remaining potential sources of food to further attract bees.
- Re-apply bee repellent if you plan to use the same area again shortly. Protecting against re-entry prevents further infestation.
- Be sure to dispose of any bee repellent containers properly. Check local waste regulations about what should be done with these containers.
It’s also important to keep an eye out for any bee infestation in the future. Check the area for any new hives and be prepared to act quickly when noticed. Many people choose to apply repellent every six to eight weeks, particularly in areas with active nests. It’s also best to lay wire mesh around the area to prevent the colony from seeking alternate entrances.
By following these tips, you can enjoy a bee-free space throughout the summer and feel comfortable knowing you have taken the necessary steps to ensure your safety. Enjoy your outdoor adventures and revel in the joyful knowledge that you’re doing the best you can.
Summertime is the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy your backyard or garden, without having to worry about pesky bees ruining your day. With the tips outlined in this article, you have the knowledge necessary to keep those bees away in an easy, affordable way. So, go ahead and enjoy the sun!