As temperatures rise, more and more tiny winged visitors join us outdoors: bees! Unless you happen to be beekeeper, these creatures aren’t always welcome when they start buzzing around. But luckily, creativity and a little bit of know-how can help you keep them away without harming them. Discover scents that bees dislike and how to use them in your very own garden, with our guide to “Stay Away Bees”.
1. Stay Away Bees: Keep Them at Bay with Natural Scents
The buzzing of bees can be a nuisance; while they may look pretty, they can become very annoying when they continuously fly around your outdoor space. Unfortunately, bee sprays and insecticides are ineffective and, worse, can be harmful to the environment. The good news is, there are some natural scents that can help you keep bees away.
- Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus essential oil contains properties that make it a natural repellant to bees. Mix a few drops of the oil with some water and spray it wherever bees are present around your home.
- Mint: Whether it’s a fresh herb or mint essential oil, mint has a strong fragrance and irritates the respiratory systems of bees, sending them running.
Lemon and Cloves: This combination has a strong, citrusy scent and cloves contain compounds that have the unique scent bees don’t like. Mix some lemon slices with some cloves and place them in the corner of your yard where the bees congregate.
If you want your outdoor space to be bee-free, avoiding these natural scents should do the trick. There are also some flowers that act as a great bee deterrent, like marigolds, lavender and pennyroyal. Plus, they make for a beautiful addition to your yard, too!
2. The Dangers of Being Around Bees
One of the key dangers of being around bees is allergic reaction. When someone is allergic to a bee’s venom, a sting can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially deadly reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction range from hives and swelling to itching, dizziness and thickening of the throat. For those who are allergic to bee venom, an injection of epinephrine is recommended as soon as possible, along with medical monitoring.
Bee stings can also cause discomfort and pain for anyone who is not allergic to their venom. Bee stings hurt and may last for up to 24 hours with swelling and redness. They can also trigger an infection if they aren’t properly treated.
The activity of bees should also be monitored. If the activity of a bee hive or bee swarm is too close to a person or property, they may be at risk of serious property damage or injury. If a bee hive is found close to one’s property, it is important to contact a professional beekeeper to safely remove it.
Lastly, when it comes to maintaining a safe distance around bees, the most important rule is to remain calm. Bees are more likely to sting if someone is excessively loud or moving too quickly around them. Always remain at a safe distance from bee swarms and their hives and avoid loud noises that may disturb them.
3. What Scents Do Bees Dislike?
If you’re looking to protect yourself from bees and other stinging insects, you might consider choosing different scents for your soaps, detergents, lotions, and deodorants to help ward them off. Contrary to popular belief, bees don’t like the smell of flowers – in fact, some scents might even be unpleasant to them.
Below are some scents that bees tend to avoid:
- Citronella – Citronella is a scent associated with repelling insects, including bees. It’s often used in candles or sprays to create a protective barrier around you as a natural insect repellent.
- Peppermint – This refreshing scent has been known to be an effective deterrent for bees and other bothersome insects. If you want to keep bees away, consider using peppermint in your home.
- Eucalyptus – This is another scent that bees and other insects tend to dislike. It can be used in oils or sprays to create a barrier for protection.
- Lemongrass – Lemongrass is an earthy scent that doesn’t appeal to bees. Consider adding this to your soaps, laundry detergents, and other home products to help deter bees from entering your living space.
Other than the scents mentioned above, there are other smells that bees avoid, such as smoke, vinegar, and garlic. Consider experimenting with these scents to see if they work for you. Keep in mind that the smells have to be potent enough for the bees to sense, so if you’re using essential oils, make sure to use a high quality and concentrated product.
Finally, don’t forget to take protective measures such as wearing clothing that covers your skin when outdoors or using products specifically designed to protect against stinging insects.
4. Using Essential Oils to Deter Bees
Essential oils are a surprisingly effective way to help deter troublesome bees from entering an area. With their strong scent, the oils can be used to drive away the bees and their pollinating activities. This can be especially helpful for people who want to enjoy an outdoor space without being constantly bothered by the buzzing of these insects. The following are some of the most effective essential oils for deterring bees:
- Lavender oil: Lavender oil is widely known for its calming, relaxing properties. It also has the added benefit of keeping bees away, using the strong scent of the oil to drive them off. This makes it the perfect fit for any outdoor area that needs to stay bee-free.
- Cedarwood oil: Cedarwood oil has a sharp aroma that bees find especially unappealing, making it the perfect choice for outdoor gardens and patio areas. It’s a great choice for any outdoor spot that needs to stay summer-bee-free.
- Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil has a strong, sharp scent that bees don’t particularly like. The strong smell of the oil overwhelms the bees and makes them fly away. It can be used safely in many outdoor areas, such as decks and patios.
When , it’s important to use the right amount. Too much of the oil can actually attract more bees, so it’s important to use only the recommended amount. Also, essential oils should not be used directly on plants or animals, as they can have adverse effects. Spraying the essential oil into the air is the safest and most effective method of deterring bees.
Essential oils are a great way to keep bees away from an outdoor space. With their strong scent, the oils create an atmosphere that bees don’t want to be in. For an effective bee deterrent, it’s important to use the right essential oil in the right amount— you don’t want to attract more bees with too much oil!
5. Incorporating Scents into Your Home & Garden
Harnessing the power of scents can elevate your home and garden to a whole other level. Inviting fragrances will make your outdoor haven feel like an oasis and your indoor space appear homier than ever. Here’s how to incorporate olfactory comfort into your life.
Candles and Potpourri
Firstly, don’t underestimate the value of scented candles. Whether in jars, on memorial plates, or in fancy holders, these can be an effective and elegant way to bring a dash of sensory pleasure to any room. For living spaces, for example, you could choose sweet aromas of vanilla, orange, or jasmine – whatever suits your tastes the most. Likewise, for powder rooms, you could opt for something more tart and zesty, like peppermint. For an even more subtle fragrance experience, you can try potpourri. This is an especially ideal choice if you’d like to fine-tune the intensity of your room’s aroma. However, whichever form you choose, make sure to take the necessary safety precautions while burning your scented objects.
Essential Oils, Wax Tarts, and Diffusers
For a longer lasting olfactory care experience, using essential oils is the way to go. As mentioned with candles and potpourri, you can use these scented oils to perfume your home with lively cascades of citrus, floral, woody, or herbal fragrances. For a no-flame option, wax tarts or diffusers can be just as effective. These devices are available in a range of sizes, so you can find one that fits the atmosphere of your home. Have a look and see – you might be surprise which scents fit your nooks and crannies best.
Herbs and Succulents
You can even bring sensory pleasure to your garden with the additon of herbs and succulents. From mint and basil to lavender and rosemary, these garden dwellers can liven up your exterior with their pleasant odours. Can’t decide which herb to choose? Not to worry – you can always add a few of each to the outdoors. They don’t necessarily need to bloom either – it’s the aromatic leaves that should do the trick. What’s more, if you’re a succulent enthusiast, you can embrace the development of your garden even further with these dainty and delightful plants.
6. Herbal Remedies for Keeping Bees Away
When it comes to trying to keep bees away, sometimes it’s best to turn to the herbal remedies provided by nature to tackle the problem. Here are six herbal remedies to try if bees have become more than just a nuisance in your garden:
- Lemon Balm: This fragrant herb emits a strong scent that is disliked by bees. Planting it around the edges of your garden can help to keep them out.
- Eucalyptus: Not only does this wonderful herb help with deterring bees, but it also works well as a natural insect repellent. Planting it around the edges of your garden will keep both bees and other insects away.
- Mint: One of the most popular herbs in the world, mint is also a great natural remedy for keeping bees away. Sprinkle some of its leaves around the garden for an instant effect.
- Basil: This herb not only keeps bees away but it also has a few other interesting uses as well. Placing basil around the edges of your garden can help to keep it bee-free.
- Thyme: This fragrant herb is also a great natural bee deterrent. Plant some around the perimeter of your garden and watch the bees stay away.
- Lavender: Like many other herbs, lavender is often used as a natural bee repellent. Planting it in your garden will help to keep the bees away while also adding a pleasant smell.
When it comes to keeping bees away, it pays to be aware of all the natural solutions available. Herbal remedies can provide a much safer way to keep your garden bee-free, while also giving you a sense of satisfaction knowing that you’ve done something good for the environment too.
7. The Benefits of Avoiding Bees
Bees may seem tiny, but stings can lead to a nasty allergic reaction or even death. Avoiding bees is the key to keeping yourself safe and avoiding a painful situation. Here are the benefits of avoiding bees.
- You can enjoy the outdoors without the worry of a bee sting
- If you’re allergic, you won’t put yourself at risk of a life-threatening reaction
- Summer is a great time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery – and you can do so without worrying about a bee sting
Above all else, avoiding bees is the safest option. Not only do you avoid the pain of a sting which can be quite intense, you avoid the risk of an allergic reaction if you’re particularly sensitive. While allergic reactions are rare, there have been cases and most people would rather avoid the risk altogether.
No matter what time of year it is, it’s important to always keep bees in mind and avoid them. There are simple steps you can take to keep yourself and the bees safe such as being aware of known bee-infested areas, being mindful of flower beds, and wearing long sleeved clothing when in an area where a bee might be encountered.
8. How to Humanely Move Bees from Your Home or Garden
When bees make a home in your garden or backyard, it can be difficult to know the best way to move them away from your home. You can try several methods, but it’s important to remember that bees play an essential role in healthy ecosystems, so they should always be treated humanely. Here are some tips to help you humanely relocate bees:
- Try to watch them – Try to watch the bees for some time in order to identify how long they have been there and where they may be going. It’s often hard to tell, but by observing their patterns, you can figure out where they tend to land or which areas they seem to avoid.
- Introduce a hive – If bees have been living in the same place for some time, the best thing to do is to introduce a hive for them to move into. This will give them a safe and secure place to live, and won’t disrupt their natural environment too much.
- Bait and Relocate – If you are unable to introduce a hive, you can try using bait to encourage the bees to relocate. You can try using a sweet sugary concentrate or a bee lure to draw them away from your home and into a more suitable area.
- Hire a Professional – If your attempts to relocate the bees aren’t successful, it may be best to hire a professional beekeeper to safely remove them. Beekeepers have the experience and know-how to safely and humanely remove bees from your home or garden.
In the end, when it comes to humanely moving bees from your home or garden, it’s important to remember that bees are vital to the health of our environment. Never hurt them directly or try to poison them. These humane relocation tips can help you make sure that bees are relocated safely, without harming them or their ecosystem.
Using strong scents to keep bees away is an easy and cost-effective way to avoid an unpleasant encounter with these flying insects. By learning what scents they dislike and how to use them, you can help ensure that you can enjoy being outdoors without being pestered by bees!
