Do you need to keep the bees away from your outdoor space, but you don’t want to rely on chemical repellents? If so, then look no further than natural bee repellents. Not only are natural repellents better for the environment, but they’re also easier on your wallet. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best ways to keep the bees away with common items you already have in your kitchen, as well as more unusual applications that you may not have considered. Let’s take a closer look at natural bee repellents, and how to use them in your garden and landscaping.
1. Buzz Away: An Introduction to Natural Bee Repellents
Summer might be prime time for grilled burgers and lounging in the sun, but if you’re plagued by pesky buzzing bees, you’ll want to follow this guide for natural bee repellents.
First, let’s look at essential oils. Not only can they be used to create wonderful aromas in your home, certain essential oils can be effectively used to keep the bees away. Basil, eucalyptus, citronella, and peppermint are all good options—so get creative and make your own natural bee repellent spray!
Next up, you’ll need plant-based options. Bees always respond to strong odors, so it’s a good idea to have some plants around your outdoor lounge area. Try a combination of:
- Lavender
- Mint
- Lemongrass
- Marigolds
Finally, your outdoor setup should also include the strategic use of light. Bees are naturally drawn to brightly lit areas, so you’ll want to steer clear of flashy, reflective surfaces (like metallic table tops) and keep things a bit more toned down. With some creative setup and well-placed natural repellents, your summer will be buzzing—with happy memories, that is!
2. The Buzz on Bees: Facts and Figures
Bee populations around the world, including honeybees, bumblebees and mason bees, are declining, leading to concerns about their role in pollination and the effects of their disappearance in the natural world. To better understand the situation surrounding bees, let’s review some facts and figures.
Habitat Loss
Habitat loss is one of the most serious threats facing bees. Urban and agricultural land development destroys wildflower and other vegetation that provide a necessary source of food and shelter for bees. This has serious consequences as bees are integral pollinators in food production and the removal of their natural habitats puts plant and animal ecosystems at risk.
Pesticide Use
Neonicotonic pesticides, or neonics for short, affect bees’ nervous systems, making it harder for them to remember the smell of flowers and thus reducing their pollination capabilities. This pesticide also impairs their ability to survive cold temperatures and reduces their overall health, leading to shorter lifespans.
Decline in Bee Populations
The number of honeybee colonies in the U.S. has been steadily declining since the turn of the century, with a 17% decrease in colonies between 2017 and 2018 alone. In the United Kingdom, bumblebee species have been reduced by a third since 1980 and mason bees, which generally require undisturbed grasslands, are showing alarming declines in some areas.
What You Can Do
As citizens, we can help protect bee populations by making informed decisions and taking action. Here are just a few suggestions:
- Plant native, bee-friendly plants in your yard and help manage invasive species.
- Advocate for cleaner and greener land-use policies.
- Buy organic or sustainably-sourced food whenever possible.
- Reduce or eliminate use of pesticides in your yard or home.
By understanding the facts and figures regarding bees and ecological systems, we can better preserve their populations and help foster a sustainable, replenishing environment.
3. The Safe Option: Natural Repellent Alternatives
As an increasing number of people become more conscious about the negative environmental and health effects of chemical repellents, many of us are looking for safer and more natural alternatives. All-natural repellents, like those made from essential oils, are becoming a popular option, and luckily, there are many safe choices for keeping insects away!
Essential Oils: Essential oils like lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, and tea tree oil are some of the best known natural repellents out there. Adding 10-20 drops of essential oils to a cup of water, and lightly spraying the mixture in areas of the home or outdoors where insects congregate will help repel insects such as mosquitoes.
Citronella Candles: Citronella candles have been used as a natural repellent for decades. Light one or two of these aromatic candles to enjoy a bug-free evening out in the backyard. While citronella candles introduce an insect-deterring scent, they also add a pleasant and calming ambience, making them a great multi-tasking option.
Plants: Some plants produce odors and oils that repel harmful insects, such as lavender, mint, and marigolds. If those fragrances don’t bother you, you can plant these in your garden, patio, or porch and enjoy your outdoor time to the fullest, while minimizing your exposure to stinging and biting critters.
DIY Repellent Sprays: Many natural repellent recipes are safe and simple to make at home. Start with a quart of water and add about half a cup of oil (olive, almond or sesame oil work best), 10-20 drops of essential oils and a tablespoon of liquid soap. Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle, give it a good shake, and you’re ready to use your homemade repellent.
4. Taking Flight: Crafty Ideas and DIY Repellents
There’s no question that the fight against critters can get some creative flare. Whether it’s a homemade remedy that has been passed down through the generations, or a creative way to repel unwanted beasts, there are plenty of crafty ideas out there that can help you get the job done.
- Bird Repellent: Birds can sometimes be a nuisance, but luckily there are several DIY bird repellents that can be created at home with items you may already have around the house. If you have a wooden surface that you want to protect from birds, you can mix up a solution of oil, cayenne pepper, and vinegar, and spray it in the area. Another simple bird repellent involves hanging shiny objects such as CDs or aluminum foil around your garden.
- Bug Repellents: If it’s bugs that are invading your space, there are equally effective ways you can banish them from your home. Everyone has heard of creating a “citronella candle” out of ordinary candles and liquid essential oils. But did you know that you can also make an effective bug repellent out of a mix of apple cider vinegar, garlic, and peppermint oil? Just spray it around areas that are prone to bug infestations.
- Rodent Repellent: Rodents have been known to invade homes and wreak havoc. To keep them away, try to make a “mole repellent” using castor oil and water. Fill up a spray bottle with the concoction and spray it around the perimeter of your home, or anywhere you’re having a problem. Another method is to dip cotton balls in peppermint oil, and leave them in areas known to attract rodents.
Creative DIY solutions can be an effective way to take care of pesky invaders around your home.Be sure to remember, however, that some of these methods may not be 100% effective and that a professional may be able to give you better advice if the DIY remedies aren’t working.
5. Keeping the Buzz to a Minimum: Trayectory Management
As entrepreneurs become leaders in their space and their businesses expand, it is important to remain intentional in managing their trajectory of growth. The right approach will help pause or slow the pace of growth when needed, avoiding the pitfalls of “buzz” businesses that can be derailed by too much too soon. Here are five strategies to ensure the momentum of a business remains in the driver’s seat.
- Focus on The Customer: Keep customer service at the forefront of the trajectory, always ask for feedback, respond to concerns quickly and regularly communicate improvements.
- Choose Team Wisely: Too much growth in too short of a time can lead to poor team development. Grow deliberately, ensuring the team is diverse and well-rounded, and they have the experience needed to handle the set of tasks.
- Stay Nimble: Be able to recognize availability in the market that can be harnessed, while at the same time being able to pivot quickly should performance or conditions change.
- Mentor Up: Find an advisor or mentor who has seen it all before and provide guidance on tactics as well as motivation. Not only will it augment thinking, but it also provides a sense of grounding and perspective.
- Patience & Empathy: Take the time to really understand the team, the customer and the need to balance risk with opportunity. Success should not be at the expense of these nuances and having patience and showing empathy can help recognize the tipping point between triumph and disaster.
Being aware of the different paths to success and actively managing the course will help brands achieve success on long timelines. Creating a unique identity and unlocking the full potential of the opportunity is achievable with conscious management.
6. Ready, Set, Repell: Tips for Application and Use
With the right steps, you can get the most out of your bug repellent. Whether you’re aiming to keep bugs away in the backyard or prevent pesky mosquites from invading your house, repellents are the way to go.
- Choose the right product for you. Not all repellents have the same strength, so decide what best suits your needs. Are you looking for a long-term solution or something more short-term? Do you have a particular area that you need to keep protected? Tailor your repellant selection according to your preferences.
- Make sure to use enough. You’ve chosen your repellent, but you need to use the right amount of it for it to be effective. If you don’t, bugs may still find their way into your home. Read the instructions on the product label to ensure that your application is spot on.
Remember to avoid contact with your skin. Repellents may have harsh chemicals in them, so it is best to apply the product with a glove or cloth. Was your skin exposed to a repellent? Rinse it off with soap and water as soon as you can to avoid any irritation.
If you take the time to familiarize yourself with all of the tips and tricks that come along with bug repellent application, you’ll soon be an expert! Repellents are one of the best ways to keep your home bug-free and your outdoor adventures filled with more fun than frustration.
7. Working as a Team: Combining Strategies for Maximum Effect
Teamwork is essential for any organisation to succeed. When people work together, different strengths combine to give a more powerful outcome. Collaborating on tasks, using a wide range of strategies, can mean better results and improved organisational efficiency.
Getting everyone on the same page: When forming a team, the first thing to consider is communication. Clear communication helps everyone stay on task and focused on the goals in mind. Teams should use a range of technologies to stay connected and be efficient, such as messaging apps, email and video collaborations.
Finding the best approach: It’s important to ensure that different strategies are being used when working as a team. Brainstorming and problem solving sessions that draw on the different knowledge bases of team members can be great for finding new solutions. Team members should be encouraged to think creatively and provide multiple perspectives – this helps teams to develop solutions that are both effective and unique.
Making it happen: Once a strategy has been identified, it’s time to put it into action. Teams should strive for consensus on how best to move forward, then break up tasks and delegate them. Working together in this way will allow the team to achieve their desired results more quickly.
8. Sweeter Summers: Preventing Bee Invasions for Good
Summer is finally here, but that means so are pesky bee invasions. It seems like no matter how hard you try to get rid of bees around your home, they keep coming back. You’re tired of dealing with these buzzing pests, and you want them gone for good. Here are 8 easy tips to help you enjoy the sweet smells of summer without the unwanted visitors:
- Remove any areas of standing water. Bees are attracted to water, so make sure to empty any containers that could be catching water like old buckets, tires and bird baths.
- Seal any potential entry points. Check the outside of your home for any cracks or holes and repair them with screen, caulk, or other material to keep bees from entering your house.
- Keep flowering plants away from your house. Planting flowering plants and herbs away from your immediate home can give bees a more appealing option for where to forage and store nectar.
- Use natural deterrents. Some plants, such as mint and basil, produce a scent that bees don’t like, thus keeping them away.
Tired of using chemical or pesticide solutions? Scents like menthol and eucalyptus oil can help keep bees away, as well as some other essential oils like citronella or peppermint. You can also try using bee traps, bee vacs, or bee houses, which can help to reduce the bee population without causing them harm.
Finally, planting bee-friendly vegetation like sunflowers and lilacs can provide a good source of pollen and nectar for wild bees and can help in supporting the bee population in your area.
With a few simple steps and a little research, you can ensure a sweeter, bee-free summer! Are you ready to join the natural battle against bees? Remember, prevention with natural repellents can be an excellent way to save on pricey pest control treatments. So refill your Home Defense spray bottle and get ready to put your bees-be-gone plan into action!
