What Repels Bees and Wasps? 10 Natural Ways to Keep Them Away

Bees and wasps provide important ecological benefits like pollination and pest control. But their presence around your home or in heavily used outdoor areas can quickly go from helpful to hazardous. Before you reach for the bug spray, try some of these natural methods for repelling bees and wasps without harming them or the environment.

Why Bees and Wasps Invade – Understanding Their Behavior

To understand how to deter bees and wasps, it helps to know what attracts them in the first place Some key reasons they may frequent your yard or home

• Food sources – Bees and wasps need food, especially sugars from flowers or fruits. They also scavenge human food at picnics and outdoor meals.

• Water – Like all living things they need water to survive, so sources of standing water or moisture can draw them in.

• Shelter – Shrubs, trees, cracks, crevices, and cavities provide ideal spots for nesting and establishing colonies.

• Attractive plants – Certain flowering plants like hydrangeas, magnolias, and marigolds are pollinator-friendly, enticing bees and wasps.

Once you identify what might be attracting bees and wasps, you can take steps to modify those conditions and make your space less appealing.

10 Natural Ways to Repel Bees and Wasps

Here are some eco-friendly strategies for repelling bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets without harming them:

1. Remove food sources

Bees especially love flower nectar and anything sugary. After outdoor meals, promptly clean up food scraps, spilled soda, fruit juice etc. that can attract them.

Keep trash cans sealed, compost bins covered, and ripe fruit picked to eliminate open food sources. Avoid using scented lotions or perfumes when spending time outdoors as sweet fragrances can lure them.

2. Get rid of standing water

Eliminate sources of standing water like pet bowls, bird baths, buckets or puddles that provide drinking water. Ensure gutters are clear of debris so rainwater can flow freely away.

3. Cut back landscaping

Prune trees and shrubs to open them up and reduce dense foliage and branches where nests can be built. Keep the lawn mowed and tidy piles of debris that offer shelter.

4. Seal cracks and crevices

Check the exterior of your home for gaps around windows, doors, siding, etc. and seal up potential entry points with caulk. This deters bees and wasps from sneaking inside.

5. Use repelling plants

Plant marigolds, basil, lavender, mint, citronella and other strong fragrances they dislike in your garden beds and containers near high traffic areas.

You can also crush a few leaves of these plants and rub them on your skin for some natural repellent.

6. Set out fragrant deterrents

Place open dishes of vinegar, cloves, bay leaves or sliced cucumbers around your patio or deck. You can also hang bunches of dried herbs like lavender, rosemary, thyme to scent the air.

7. Make a repellent spray

Mix a few drops of repellent essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus or tea tree into water in a spray bottle. Mist around areas where you want to discourage bees and wasps.

8. Install a fake nest

Oddly enough, hanging a mock beehive or wasp nest will make them less likely to build new nests nearby. They avoid colonies that may compete for resources with their own.

9. Use fans

Direct fans towards the area where bees or wasps are spotted. They dislike strong air currents that disrupt their flight path. You can also place a bag filled with ice in front of the fan to cool the air.

10. Try bee/wasp traps

For a more targeted approach, use pheromone or odor-based traps designed just for bees, wasps or yellow jackets. Traps lure them in but don’t allow them to escape.

When to Call a Professional for Bee and Wasp Control

For minor infestations, these natural DIY remedies may be sufficient to discourage bees, wasps and hornets in your yard. However, if you have an extensive established nest near your home, it’s best to have it removed by a professional exterminator.

Trying to get rid of a large hive yourself can aggravate the insects and increase your chances of getting stung. Professional pest control experts have the right gear and use integrated tactics to safely eliminate hives and prevent their return.

Some signs it’s time to call in the pros:

• Multiple bees or wasps flying in and out of a specific area constantly. This indicates an active nest.

• Evidence of extensive nests under eaves, deck boards, bushes etc. Nests can range from the size of a ping pong ball to several feet wide.

• Getting stung repeatedly when going outside despite efforts to repel them. This is a sign of aggressive hives nearby.

• Allergic reactions to stings requiring medical care. You don’t want to take any chances around hives if you have allergies.

• Bees swarming by the hundreds. Large swarms should be handled only by seasoned professionals.

The Most Effective Professional Bee and Wasp Control Methods

Commercial pest control companies have access to the latest tools and treatments for getting rid of bee and wasp infestations while minimizing risks to people, pets and property. Here are some of the top methods they may use:

• Insecticide dusts – Fine powders are puffed into the nest opening. Bees and wasps track the residue back to the colony where it destroys them.

• Liquid sprays – Low-odor sprays with residual ingredients are applied around nest entrances. They kill insects on contact and provide lasting repellent effects.

• Foam treatments – Foams contain insecticides as well as sticking agents that immobilize insects on contact when sprayed into hard-to-reach nesting spots.

• Fumigation – Smoke or gas fumigants are used to suffocate pests and eliminate hives inside voids and enclosed spaces.

• Nest removal – After treating nests, exterminators will remove and dispose of the nests to prevent new hive construction in the same areas.

• Prevention service – Ongoing preventative treatments can be applied around a property to deter future colonies from becoming established.

Regardless of the specific treatment used, professional pest control services eliminate nests as safely and effectively as possible. Their goal is to get rid of the nuisance insects while protecting you and your property during the process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bee and Wasp Control

Here are answers to some common queries about managing bees, wasps and hornets:

What scents do bees and wasps hate?

Some scents that deter bees and wasps naturally include lavender, mint, citronella, eucalyptus, garlic, lemongrass, thyme, tea tree oil and clove.

What are bee and wasp nests made of?

Bees build hives using wax they secrete. Wasps make gray paper-like nests by chewing wood and plant fibers. Hornets build football-sized nests from wood pulp.

Can you use mothballs to repel bees and wasps?

Mothballs contain pesticides that can repel bees and wasps when placed around areas where they are spotted. However, mothballs can be toxic to pets and children, so safer options are recommended.

Does vinegar deter bees and wasps?

Yes, vinegar can repel bees and wasps due to its strong acidic smell. You can wipe counters and surfaces with diluted vinegar or leave bowls of vinegar in areas where they are unwanted.

Will smoke drive away bees and wasps?

Yes, smoke is an effective deterrent as bees and wasps cannot navigate their flight path well in smoky conditions. Just take care handling fire and make sure smoke does not accumulate in enclosed spaces.

When are bees most aggressive?

Bees tend to be more aggressive in the warmer months when they are most active. They are more defensive of their hive when the queen bee is present from early spring through fall in temperate climates.

The key to a bee and wasp-free outdoor living space is making it less hospitable. Reduce attractions like food, water sources and nesting spots. Boost repellents using plants, fragrances and other deterrents. When you do spot an infestation, never try removing a nest yourself and call in the professionals promptly for safe elimination. With an integrated pest control plan, your yard can go from high alert back to carefree enjoyment once more.