Do you need to repel bees, both at home and when you are outdoors? Although bees are usually not aggressive when the hive is not disturbed, many people prefer to avoid flying insects with these poisonous stings. With some preparation, you can keep bees away from your campsite, garden, or yourself. If you live in an area with Africanized honey bees or "killer bees," stay alert in wilderness areas as these bees become very aggressive if you approach a hive.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preventing Bees from Stinging You
Step 1. Try a natural strong smelling bug repellent
Catnip essential oil has been shown to be effective at repelling bees and mosquitoes. These oils can be purchased at aromatherapy stores or online. Other strong-smelling ingredients such as peppermint or clove oil are often used to repel insects, but may not work as well as other options.
Do not use these substances on children under three years of age. If the repellents are not sold with instructions on how to use them on the skin, search the internet for information about them first, to see if the insect repellent is causing irritation or health problems
Step 2. Spray an over-the-counter insect repellent
Bees do not target humans except when the animal perceives them as a threat, therefore insect repellents are usually not very useful for personal protection. However, some special bee repellents such as Bee Go or Honey Robber products can be used to repel bees in one place. These types of products are available in stores that sell beekeeping equipment.
- For example, in the United States, check product labels for logos that indicate the product is approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before purchasing, so you know that the product is safe for human use and safe for the environment.
- By far, insect repellent spray is the most effective type of insect repellent available over the counter. Candles, fogging devices, mosquito coils, battery-powered insect repellents, wristbands, and electronic sound-based repellents rarely succeed in repelling insects.
Step 3. Stay alert in wilderness areas
Hear the buzzing sound as you walk through the forest. Also, don't put your hand in any hole where you can't see the inside. Bees usually nest among rocks or in trees, so be extra careful when climbing.
- While most honey bees don't bother humans, "Africanized" honey bees will guard the hive aggressively. This type of bee is found in various areas of South America, Central America and along the southern border of the United States.
- If you hear the hum of a nest, or know there is a nest in the area, bring your pet near you, preferably on a leash.
Step 4. Consider wearing light colored clothes
While clothing doesn't usually have a big effect on attracting bees, dark and red clothes tend to make it easier for bees to perceive you as a threat.
Clothing made of leather or fur can also irritate bees
Step 5. Avoid strong odors and loud noises around the Africanized honeybee
The United States Department of Agriculture and several other agencies advise against wearing perfume, shampoo, eating gum or other strong-smelling substances in areas where Africanized honeybees are present. Not much different, loud noises from chainsaws, lawn mowers and other machines can disturb this very angry bee. These factors don't really matter much around other types of bees unless you've disturbed the bees' physical hives themselves.
- Keep in mind that some medications for dogs, horses and other animals can contain strong odors as well.
- Although one study did not find a single type of bee attracted to perfume, the research was conducted on a small scale and it is unclear whether Africanized honeybees were also studied there.
Step 6. Run to shelter if attacked
If you are attacked by a large number of bees, immediately run to the nearest vehicle or building, or keep running until the bees stop chasing you. Pull your shirt up to cover your face, only if this doesn't slow your run.
- Do not enter the water area unless you have no other choice. Some bees may wait until you are up to take a breath, then continue to sting.
- Once you're safe, remove the bee stingers from your body by scraping them off with your fingernail, the edge of a credit card, or something similar. Do not pull the stinger out as this can cause more venom to enter the wound.
Method 2 of 3: Blocking Bees from Approaching a Territory
Step 1. Drive the bees away with smoke
The bees will fly away from the smoke, or become dizzy and less aggressive if they inhale too much smoke. Make a campfire or light smoky candles to keep bees away from your camping or picnic area. Lighting a meat grill tends to be ineffective, due to the smell of meat that is attractive to bees.
Lemongrass wax, which is often sold as an insect repellent, can be effective in repelling bees simply because of the smoke rather than the content of lemongrass
Step 2. Use mothballs
Camphor contains a very strong insect venom that can repel or kill many insects. This material is used more often in attics and warehouses, but some picnickers put camphor in a bag of gauze or used nylon socks and hang it in the trees.
Camphor can also be harmful to humans. Keep the camphor away from children and avoid the strong-smelling fumes that the camphor gives off
Step 3. Use bitter almond oil
Bitter almond oil or its active substance benzaldehyde, can be used to repel bees. Pour a small amount onto a washcloth and place it outside in a warm, airy room to allow the oil to evaporate quickly. Be aware, bitter almond oil can be harmful in large amounts, although some studies disagree with this theory. Keep the washcloth away from pets and children.
Some people also add an equal amount of tea tree oil to washcloths, this oil may also repel bees. This theory has never been scientifically tested, but it can work in some cases
Step 4. Lure the bees to another nearby spot during the picnic
Sometimes, attracting bees to alternative places can be an effective method of bee control, especially when using deterrents around your own food. Some people claim success when placing plates of sugar water, maple syrup, or banana peel pieces on opposite sides of a lawn or field, so the bees eat elsewhere instead. Place these baits in an area that is quite far away, because otherwise they can become your master's weapon.
- If there are wasps as well, put the sugar and meat in, as different types of wasps are attracted to these two foodstuffs.
- Do not use this method at camp, as animals such as bears or skunks can also be attracted by the food.
Method 3 of 3: Prevent Bees from Building Hives
Step 1. Do not leave objects that attract bees
Keep food covered and store sweets as soon as you eat them. Use plastic trash and snug lids on all outdoor trash cans.
Step 2. Cover the water area if possible
Bees look for water in places that are quite far from the hive, so you may find bees around swimming pools, irrigation systems, or other water sources even if there are no beehives nearby. If the bee manages to grab the water, the insect will probably come back more often and in greater numbers. Use a pool cover when the pool is not in use and repair a damaged irrigation system, leaking pipes, or other sources of pooling.
Step 3. Add vinegar to a smaller open container of water
Vinegar can cause a water source to become unwelcome to bees, forcing these insects to move elsewhere in search of water. Add about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vinegar for every 3800 ml of water before filling water for outdoor animal drinking, including bird baths.
While pine-scented cleaners may be more effective, they should only be used in water that is not used as a drinking water source by humans or animals
Step 4. Use soapy water to kill bees that are looking for a drink near the water
If previous repelling methods were not sufficient, killing bees that come to drink water can prevent a further increase in the number of bees. Mix 30 ml of dish soap with 480 ml of water and put it in a spray bottle. This spray can kill a bee that is taking water quickly.
While the death of a few bees is unlikely to harm the hive, hiring an exterminator for large bee control is not recommended, unless the hive is already built in or near your home. Bees are an important species to aid in the pollination process for many plants
Step 5. Cover any holes that could potentially become nests
If swarms of bees are swarming your yard, or there are large numbers of them, you may have to do a full inspection of your home and yard to cover it of all potential hives. This activity can be a tedious task, but it's still easier than getting rid of an already built nest.
- Putty or cover all holes and cracks that are at least 3 mm wide. Inspect walls, foundations and all sheds and buildings outside the home.
- Use a tight-fitting gauze to cover large holes. Cover drains, vents, doors or windows that are not tightly closed, and any large openings with a soft, tight-fitting gauze.
- Fill animal-made burrows with soil, or cover them until the bees have left.
Tips
- Swarms of bees that just pass by are usually not aggressive. Usually, the herd is trying to find a new location to build a nest. If the swarm doesn't leave the area around your home within a day or two, call a professional bee handler to get it removed before the insects settle there.
- Remember, bees are one of the most important species in pollinating plants on earth. If possible, allow the animal or hire a professional beekeeper to move the hive without damaging it.
- Contrary to popular belief, there is no need to be afraid to use perfume around bees.
- Cinnamon usually doesn't bother bees, although it does affect some other insects like ants.
- Marigold flowers do not repel bees or other insects, only affect some species of nematodes.
- Lemon eucalyptus oil is a powerful all-purpose repellent. Consider using this oil if special bee repellents don't work.
Warning
- If you are allergic to bee stings, make sure you take your medicine with you when camping or hiking. Even if you are already using an EpiPen or other quick remedy, seek medical attention immediately.
- Don't try to get rid of the beehive alone. Instead, contact a professional bee handler or pest control service. Improper cleaning attempts can cause injury, leave enough bees to rebuild the hive, or cause the remaining honey to rot and attract the attention of other pests.
- Be careful when using scented foods or products in areas where bears, skunks or other scavengers are present. After eating, put all leftovers in a sealed container or litter box with a lid.
