We all know that bees are important to the environment, and our own food production. But, their visits to your balcony can still be stressful. It’s important to keep bees off of your balcony, especially if you are allergic to bee stings or just don’t want to get stung. Here are some ways to keep them away without hurting them or their hives.
Finding bees buzzing around your balcony can be alarming. But before breaking out the heavy-duty pesticides, there are many effective, eco-friendly methods to deter bees without harming these important pollinators.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 17 natural ways to keep bees away from your balcony or patio. From strategic plants to DIY repellents, you’ll find safe, gentle options to create a bee-free outdoor oasis.
Why Bees Come to Balconies
To banish bees, we first need to understand what attracts them in the first place. Bees visit balconies looking for
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Flowers – Bees feed on nectar and pollen Any blooms, especially brightly colored ones, will entice them
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Sugary substances – Bees love sweet things like soda, juice, syrup, etc. Spills or trash attract them.
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Water – Bees need water to cool their hives and dilute honey. Sources like birdbaths or drips from air conditioners pull them in.
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Shelter – Cavities, cracks and corners provide nesting spots for some bee species. Clutter like piles of leaves or stacks of pots offer shelter too.
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Warmth – On cooler days, bees scour sunny spots like balconies to warm up. South-facing areas are especially prized.
Keeping these bee desires in mind, let’s look at natural ways to remove their balcony incentives.
1. Avoid Flowering Plants
Since bees forage for pollen and nectar, eliminating flowers takes away their food source. Replace blooms with non-flowering greenery like:
- Ferns
- Moss
- Herbs like oregano, thyme and basil
- Vegetables like lettuces, kale and peppers
- Succulents like aloe, echeveria and sedum
If you must have flowers, choose types that bees dislike, like gladiolus, dahlias or geraniums.
2. Remove Water Sources
Eliminate any standing water to remove a bee magnet. Dump birdbath water daily and fix any leaks or drips. Water plants early in the morning so the soil dries out during foraging hours.
Avoid water features like fountains, but a dry fountain filled with pebbles would look nice. For pet water, use an indoor/outdoor bowl bees can’t access.
3. Clean Up Sugary Spills ASAP
Quickly clean any spilled soda, juice, syrup or sweet substances. Promptly wipe down outdoor dining areas after meals. Keep balcony surfaces free of stickiness that could attract bees.
4. Keep Your Balcony Clutter-Free
Don’t give bees places to nest and hide. Remove piles of leaves, stacks of pots, storage containers and other clutter. Keep your balcony tidy and free of bee habitats.
5. Seal Up Crevices
Prevent access to voids where bees may nest. Caulk cracks in walls or floors. Add weatherstripping to close gaps around doors and windows. Cover open vents with fine mesh screening. Eliminate cavities in railings, tiles or woodwork.
6. Use Bee-Repelling Plants
Certain plants naturally repel bees with strong scents. Effective choices include:
- Marigolds
- Wormwood
- Citronella grass
- Catmint
- Lavender
- Mint
- Sage
- Lemongrass
Target the most bee-prone areas. Replant flower boxes and pots with these deterring plants.
7. Employ Scent Repellents
Strong herbal scents drive bees away. Try these DIY repellents:
- Spray surfaces with vinegar or lemon juice solution.
- Rub lavender, mint or citrus peels on railings.
- Set out small dishes of oil of clove, citronella or eucalyptus.
- Position cotton balls with peppermint or tea tree essential oils.
- Hang fresh herbs like basil, thyme and parsley around the balcony.
Reapply after rain or periodically refresh fading scents.
8. Use Visual Repellents
Certain patterns and colors repel bees who see ultraviolet light. Try these tricks:
- Hang aluminum pie pans, reflective tape or old CDs which appear to bees as threats.
- Apply black and white striped patterns which bees avoid. Paint planters or add stickers.
- Use blue or purple fabrics. Drape cloths over furniture or hang ribbons.
9. Employ Scented Candles
Bees dislike the smoke and fragrance from candles. Citronella and eucalyptus work well. For safety, place candle jars away from edges. Only burn on non-flammable surfaces. Extinguish before leaving the balcony.
10. Install Fly Screens
Fine mesh screening can help deter bees while allowing airflow. Install removable screens on windows and sliding doors when outside. Cover vents and gaps in railings with copper mesh. This physical barrier keeps bees out when you’re not present.
11. Avoid Flowery Scents
Skip perfume, lotion and scented products if eating outside. Floral and fruit fragrances lure in bees. Also avoid heavily scented laundry detergent on balcony cushions or towels.
12. Limit Outdoor Lighting
Bees flock to light fixtures at night. Minimize lighting after dark or install amber bulbs which attract bees less than white bulbs. Use tea lights or string lights rather than bright overhead lights.
13. Avoid Going Barefoot
Wear shoes and socks outside. Bare feet with lotion or sweet body products can entice bees to land on you. Cover skin to reduce the risk of stings.
14. Stay Calm Around Bees
Don’t swat or antagonize them. Rapid movements can be seen as threats. Remain composed and gently move away if bees approach. Have everyone stay quiet and still if a swarm passes through.
15. Set Up a Nearby Bee Station
Draw bees away by placing a “bee bar” with sugared water in a distant corner of your yard. Add flowers, overturned pots or small pools of water to create an appealing bee zone far from your balcony.
16. Contact a Beekeeper
If bees take up residence in your balcony’s eaves or wall voids, reach out to a local beekeeper. Many will safely remove and relocate honeybee colonies for free or a small fee. Avoid exterminators who will kill the bees.
17. Consider Your Balcony’s Placement
If your balcony faces abundant flowers or urban farm plots, bees are inevitable. Either make peace with their presence or try moving potted plants toward the interior if you have a double-balcony. Lower balconies also receive more bees than higher floors.
Final Thoughts
With some strategic tricks, balconies and bees can co-exist peacefully. Focus first on removal tactics like clearing flowers and debris. Then employ natural scent and visual repellents. Avoid pesticides which can poison pollinators critical to our environment. With a few bee-smart changes, you’ll have a buzz-free balcony.
Avoid Eating Outside
Bees and hornets are both attracted to human food, although hornets are more motivated by it than bees. If you can, avoid eating out on your balcony. If you do, clean up leftover foods quickly when you’re done. Also, use drink containers with lids that bees and hornets cannot get into.
Remove Potential Bee Shelter
A new queen will be born in a hive every so often. She will then leave to find a new place to start a hive. You can keep bees away in the future by getting rid of possible nesting spots before she shows up. Empty flowerpots, old wood, fabrics and fibers may all serve as potential hosts for the queen.
HOW TO GET RID OF BEE’S WITHOUT KILLING THEM – DIY METHODS (14 Natural Ways to Remove Bee’s)
How to get rid of bees on a balcony?
Pour the vinegar in small containers and place a few of them around the balcony. Cinnamon: Powder some cinnamon and sprinkle it around the balcony. Cinnamon’s strong smell is a deterrent to bees. Cucumber peels: Place cucumber peels by the balcony edges or along the walls or on the soil in your pots.
How do you attract bees to a balcony?
Water attracts bees, so make sure there is no water everywhere. Maintain a clean and dry balcony at all times. If you have potted plants on your balcony, ensure the soil is well-drained. During the summer, excess wetness will also draw bees flying in quest of water.
How do you get rid of bees on a patio?
1. Maintain a clean and dry balcony or patio deck 2. Keep your yard well-watered. 3. Food and beverages should be kept covered or indoors 4. Pay attention to the flowers around your patio deck 5. Think of planting peppermint 6. Plant citronella 7. Cinnamon can also deter bees 8. Crushed garlic is effective as well 9. Other natural bee repellents
Should you remove a bee hive from your balcony?
If you previously had a beehive on your balcony, ensure it is entirely removed. Even a small piece of an old hive will attract new bees to the area. If you have any traces of previous hives, hire a professional to remove them and thoroughly clean the area. 2. Keep your yard well-watered.