Honey bees have an essential role in our environment for pollinating plants and basically supporting biodiversity. However, it can become a problem when they start invading your home or garden, especially for those allergic to bee stings. Instead of using harmful pesticides, it’s best to explore how to keep honey bees away naturally. This guide will provide natural ways to repel bees while ensuring their safety and conservation.
Understanding Bee Behavior: What Attracts Them?
Before finding ways to keep bees away from house, it’s important to understand why they are coming in the first place. Bees are usually drawn to specific elements, including:
- Floral Scents – Sweet-smelling flowers, perfumes, and candles can attract bees.
- Bright Colours – Bees are naturally drawn to blue, violet, and yellow hues, mistaking them for flowers.
- Water Sources – Bees need water to regulate hive temperature, so they often visit birdbaths, leaking pipes, or pet water bowls.
- Food Residues – Sugary drinks, exposed fruits, and food scraps can easily lure bees to your outdoor areas.
1. Use Natural Scents to Repel Bees
Bees have a strong sense of smell, and certain scents are naturally unappealing to them. Consider these options to deter honey bees:
Essential Oils to Repel Bees
Using essential oils is a safe and effective DIY bee repellent. Try these options:
- Peppermint Oil – Mix a few drops with water and spray around windows, doors, and outdoor seating areas.
- Citronella Oil – Known for repelling mosquitoes, citronella can also drive bees away.
- Eucalyptus Oil – The strong aroma of eucalyptus is unpleasant to bees, making it a great choice for repelling them.
- Clove and Lemongrass Oil – Mixing these with water and spraying around bee-prone areas can deter them naturally.
Other Natural Bee Deterrents
- Vinegar Solution – A mix of equal parts vinegar and water can be sprayed in areas where bees gather.
- Garlic Powder – Sprinkling garlic powder near entry points can help in how to stop bees from nesting.
- Cucumber Peels – The acidic properties of cucumber peels repel bees when placed around garden beds and patios.
2. Grow Plants That Keep Bees Away
If you want a long-term solution, planting bee-repellent plants can be effective. Consider these plants that keep bees away:
- Basil – The strong scent naturally repels bees.
- Marigolds – These flowers contain pyrethrum, a natural insect deterrent.
- Peppermint & Spearmint – Bees dislike mint plants due to their intense fragrance.
- Eucalyptus – The smell is unpleasant to bees, keeping them at bay.
- Citronella – Used for deterring mosquitoes, citronella also works against bees.
Tip: Plant these varieties near doorways, windows, patios, and gardens to create a natural barrier.
3. Maintain Your Home to Prevent Bees from Nesting
Bees often look for safe and dry places to build their nests. To prevent this:
- Seal Entry Points – Check for cracks and holes in walls, eaves, and around windows. Seal them with caulk to stop bees from nesting.
- Install Window Screens – Fine mesh screens prevent bees from flying indoors.
- Keep Garbage Sealed – Food scraps and sugary drinks attract bees. Use tightly sealed bins.
- Eliminate Standing Water – Fix leaking pipes and cover pet water bowls when not in use.
4. Make Your Outdoor Space Less Attractive to Bees
If you love spending time outdoors, here are some home remedies for bee control to make your space less inviting:
- Use Unscented Products – Avoid floral-scented perfumes, lotions, and hair sprays.
- Wear Light-Coloured Clothes – Bees are attracted to bright colours; neutral shades like white and beige are less appealing to them.
- Cover Food and Drinks – Keep food and beverages covered when dining outside.
- Avoid Sudden Movements – If a bee approaches, stay calm. Swatting may provoke them.
5. Provide an Alternative Water Source
If bees are gathering around your garden or pool, they might be looking for water. Instead of chasing them away, try offering a water source at a distance.
- Set up a Bee-Friendly Water Dish – Fill a shallow dish with water and add small stones for bees to land on.
- Place it Away from Your House – Position it at the far end of your garden to redirect bees away from your living space.
By giving bees an alternative water source, you reduce their visits to your property while still supporting their survival.
6. Safe Removal of Beehives
If a hive forms near or inside your home, it’s crucial to remove it safely. Here’s what you should do:
- Call a Beekeeper – Many beekeepers will remove and relocate a hive for free.
- Avoid DIY Removal – Disturbing a hive without proper knowledge can be dangerous.
- Use Non-Toxic Bee Control Methods – Avoid pesticides and opt for humane relocation.
Final Thoughts: Coexisting with Bees Naturally
Understanding how to keep honey bees away naturally provides a safer home environment while protecting these essential pollinators. You can effectively keep bees away from house without harming them by using natural bee deterrents, planting repelling plants, sealing entry points, and providing alternative water sources. For long-term solutions, combine multiple methods to make your home and garden less appealing to bees while maintaining a bee-friendly environment at a safe distance. If bees are becoming a nuisance, Magic Pest Control can help! Call us today at 0489908469 for expert, eco-friendly bee removal solutions.
FAQs
Ques. Do dryer sheets keep bees away?
Ans. Yes, placing dryer sheets in outdoor areas can help keep bees away from house due to their strong fragrance.
Ques. Can cinnamon repel honey bees?
Ans. Sprinkling cinnamon around nesting areas is a DIY bee repellent that discourages bees from settling in unwanted spaces.
Ques. Does smoke help in repelling bees?
Ans. Light smoke confuses bees and acts as a natural bee deterrent, making them leave without harming them.
Ques. Will aluminum foil deter honey bees?
Ans. The reflection from aluminum foil can deter honey bees, making it useful for keeping them away from patios and gardens.
Ques. Can I use mothballs to keep bees away?
Ans. Yes, mothballs emit a strong scent that works as one of the home remedies for bee control, but use them cautiously.
Ques. Does baby powder keep honey bees away?
Ans. Bees dislike talcum-based powders, making baby powder a mild non-toxic bee control method for deterring them from small spaces.
Ques. Why do bees keep coming back after removal?
Ans. If the hive scent remains, bees may return. Using essential oils to repel bees can prevent them from resettling.
Ques. Can ultrasonic pest repellents work against bees?
Ans. Some ultrasonic devices claim to be natural ways to repel bees, but their effectiveness is not widely proven.
Ques. How do you stop bees from coming into your car?
Ans. Keep windows closed and use peppermint oil since plants that keep bees away include mint varieties with strong scents.
Ques. Do coffee grounds repel bees?
Ans. Burning coffee grounds releases a smoke that acts as a natural bee deterrent, discouraging them from nesting nearby.
