How to Deter Bees: 6 Tips to Keep Bees Away

A few bees in your backyard are harmless, but a whole swarm can disturb the peace. When it comes to learning how to deter bees, you don’t have to take harmful measures to keep these insects off your property. Instead, there are a number of helpful tips that can encourage them to buzz off without adding to your bottom line. However, if you have a true infestation, don’t hesitate to call in your local bee removal pro to tackle the issue head-on.

1. Protect Your Food

The sweet nectar of fruit juice and other sugar-scented dishes is enough to bring bees around, which is why it’s important to keep any outdoor food and drinks covered with lids or paper towels. It may not be as aesthetically pleasing for an al fresco event, but it’s better than a buzzy colony surrounding your guests and your meal.

2. Utilize Plants and Herbs

Marigolds, cloves, and mint leaves act as deterrents to bees, who tend to steer clear of the strong odors these plants and herbs emit. Whether you plant marigolds nearby or sprinkle cloves and mint leaves on nearby tables, the scent these natural elements emit can help mask the smell of sweet food items and keep bees at bay. 

3. Keep It Neutral

The brighter your decor, linens, or clothing, the more likely bees are to swarm nearby since they are attracted to bright colors and floral prints. If it’s possible to keep your decor and clothing neutral, you can bet you’ll have less visits from the buzzing insects as they won’t find muted tones nearly as attractive. 

4. Tidy Up 

Just as it’s helpful to keep food and drinks covered, you’ll want to dispose of any leftovers as soon as possible so as not to attract these sometimes pesky pollinators. You should cover outdoor trash bins and seal remaining food to keep enticing aromas from inviting unwanted winged guests. 

5. Try a Homemade Solution

Without using harsh or toxic chemicals, you can create your own natural bee deterrent with ingredients in your pantry. Try filling a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar to create a mixture that you can apply to surfaces or areas the bees frequent. Other substances bees tend to steer clear of include citronella oil, lavender oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, lemon, and lime, which you can likely find at your local hardware store, grocery store, or pharmacy. 

6. Call in the Bee Removal Pros

If the bees you’re encountering are frequent and starting to become a safety hazard, it’s time to hire a local bee removal expert. A professional can either safely remove and relocate hives or suggest treatment plans to get rid of the bees, depending on the severity of your infestation and how quickly you need the bees gone. These pros have the skills, tools, and knowledge to successfully remove bees and deter future colonies from moving in.