To keep bees away effectively, you can use a variety of natural and practical methods that rely mostly on scents bees dislike, habitat modification, and physical deterrents:
Natural Repellents and Scents
- Essential oils: Bees dislike the smell of oils such as tea tree, lemongrass, peppermint, citronella, citrus, mint, eucalyptus, lavender, clove, rosemary, cinnamon, and cedarwood. You can dab these oils on cotton balls or spray diluted mixtures around outdoor areas and furniture
- Plants that repel bees: Growing plants like marigolds, geraniums, mint, eucalyptus, thyme, pennyroyal, neem, basil, lavender, garlic, and cloves around your property can create a natural barrier bees avoid
- Garlic spray: A homemade garlic spray made by steeping minced garlic in hot water overnight, sometimes enhanced with chili flakes or dish soap, can repel bees without harming them
- Cinnamon and cayenne pepper: Sprinkling cinnamon or cayenne pepper around areas where bees are unwanted can deter them, including encouraging relocation of hives if applied near nests
Practical Tips
- Avoid sweet smells and colors: Bees are attracted to sweet fragrances and certain colors like blue, violet, or purple. Avoid using sweet perfumes, lotions, or wearing these colors outdoors to reduce attraction
- Cover food and drinks: Keep sweet foods and beverages covered to avoid attracting bees, especially sugary drinks like soda
- Use mothballs or dryer sheets: Hanging mothballs in cloth bags or spreading dryer sheets in outdoor areas can repel bees due to their strong odors
- Brown paper bag decoy: Inflating and hanging brown paper bags resembling bee nests can deter territorial bees and wasps from settling nearby
- Remove water sources: Bees need water, so eliminating standing water or placing water sources away from patios can reduce bee presence
- Seal entry points: Close cracks, holes, or gaps in buildings to prevent bees from nesting indoors or near your home
Using these methods in combination can significantly reduce bee activity around your garden, patio, or pool areas without harming the bees, promoting a bee-free environment safely and naturally.
