Bees play an important role in pollinating plants and crops. However, sometimes bees can become a nuisance, especially if they start swarming around your home. Instead of using harsh chemicals, there are many natural ways to deter bees from your property.
Why are bees attracted to your home?
Bees are often drawn to homes for a few key reasons:
- They are looking for food. Bees feed on nectar and pollen from flowers, so they may be attracted to flowering plants, trees, and shrubs around your home.
- They need water. Bees collect water to cool their hives and feed their larvae. Sources of standing water, like birdbaths and pools, can attract them.
- Searching for shelter. Bees may find cracks, holes, and cavities on or around your home that they see as potential hive sites.
If your home seems particularly appealing to bees, identifying and removing these attractants can help discourage them from swarming.
Natural ways to deter bees
Here are some of the most effective and natural ways to repel bees from your home and garden areas:
Remove food sources
Eliminating anything bees can feed on will take away their reason for visiting. Some tips:
- Get rid of flowering plants that attract bees, especially scented herbs and flowers.
- Cut back trees and shrubs that are in bloom.
- Clean up fallen, rotting, or overripe fruit that bees are feeding on.
- Store trash in sealed bins and keep compost piles away from your house.
- Stop feeding birds and clean up feeders, as the seeds and grains attract bees.
Remove water sources
Bees need to collect water, so removing outdoor sources can deter them. Ideas include:
- Drain or cover birdbaths, fountains, and other standing water sources.
- Keep pools and hot tubs chlorinated and covered when not in use.
- Fix leaky spigots, pipes, and irrigation systems that create wet areas.
- Place a screen over rain barrels to prevent bees from accessing the water.
Seal cracks and crevices
Bees look for cavities to build hives in, so sealing up your home can help keep them out. You should:
- Caulk and seal any cracks, holes, or gaps in your home’s exterior, especially around doors, windows, and eaves.
- Cover up exterior vents, weep holes, and plumbing openings with fine steel mesh.
- Install door sweeps and weatherstripping to seal door thresholds.
- Make sure all siding, screens, and roof tiles are in good repair.
Use repellent plants
Certain plants give off scents that naturally repel bees and other insects. Planting these around your home can create a barrier. Effective options include:
- Mint
- Lavender
- Citronella
- Eucalyptus
- Garlic
- Chives
- Geranium
Try natural bee repellents
You can make DIY repellents with ingredients bees dislike:
- Vinegar solution – Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray around door and window frames.
- Essential oils – Combine peppermint, lemongrass, or clove oil with water and spray. Do not spray directly on bees.
- Citrus peels – Scatter dried citrus peels around your patio, deck, or garden beds.
- Smoke – Light fires or use natural mosquito repellent coils to generate smoke that keeps bees away.
Use a natural bee trap
For managing larger bee populations, you can construct a simple trap to draw in and contain bees. Some options are:
- A soda or water bottle trap – Cut the top off a plastic bottle, invert it, and place bait inside.
- A funnel trap – Fix a cone-shaped wire screen funnel to a hanging container filled with sugary liquid.
- A bowl trap – Fill a shallow dish with soapy water to capture bees when they stop to drink.
Empty and refresh traps frequently to keep attracting more bees.
When to call a beekeeper
In some cases, contacting a professional beekeeper is the best option. You should call one if:
- Bees have swarmed inside your home.
- A hive with over 3 pounds or 10,000 bees has formed on your property.
- Your family members have bee allergies.
- Bees are entering through gaps you can’t locate or seal.
- Traps and other deterrents have not reduced the bees.
A beekeeper can safely remove or relocate the colony and help you permanently exclude the bees.
Conclusion
Dealing with bees around your home doesn’t require harsh, toxic chemicals. With some diligent prevention and strategic use of natural repellents, you can keep bees away without harming these essential pollinators. Focus on removing food sources, eliminating standing water, sealing up entry points, using repellent plants and ingredients, and setting out traps. Call on a professional beekeeper if removal is needed so the bees can be saved and resettled.